Workshop on “Challenges for the Sustainable Consumption and Production of Fisheries Products: Ecolabelling, Certification and other Supply Chain Issues,


Paris, France, 18-19 September 2008

UNEP organised an international workshop on

“Challenges for the Sustainable Consumption and Production of Fisheries Products: Ecolabelling, Certification and other Supply Chains”

The meeting was held in Paris, France, on 18-19 September 2008.

The workshop was attended by more than 35 participants from all stages of the seafood supply chain from the producer to the retailer level, including fishermen, wholesalers/traders, processors, retailers, NGOs and public institutions.

The event aimed at increasing the participants’ understanding of the challenges faced by different stakeholders in the supply chain in producing, identifying and buying sustainable fisheries products. It also served to identify concrete collaborative projects designed to address problems encountered along the supply chain and to support existing efforts to deliver sustainable fish products to consumers.

The workshop addressed a number of core issues in relation to sustainable fisheries management, including challenges and benefits related to eco-labelling or certification of fish products. Particular focus was given to challenges faced by small-scale fisheries in developing countries in applying sustainable fishing methods. Participants also had the opportunity to explore lessons from ongoing and past projects, existing eco-labelling schemes and initiatives, as well as from efforts by fishermen, traders and retailers that were undertaken with a view to identifying, encouraging, delivering or sourcing sustainably managed fish.

Three panel discussions were held in the course of the workshop. Issues discussed related to:

• “Sustainable practices and certification: The experience of three fisheries” ( Seychelles , Madagascar , India )
• “Designing effective supply chains for sustainable fisheries products: perspectives from different stakeholders”
• “What do buyers want and how they get it. Purchasing criteria/ sourcing methods…”

The discussions held throughout the workshop confirmed the strong interest in promoting all tools that strengthen the production and consumption of sustainable seafood.

For further information please contact:

Anja von Moltke ( anja.moltke@unep.org, (tel: 41-22-917 8137)

Charles Arden-Clarke (charles.arden-clarke),
( tel: 33-1-44377627)


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