Environmental groups release ecolabel report
A report released by environmental groups the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and The Ocean Foundation, Gold Standard for Sustainable Aquaculture Ecolabel Design, establishes what is claimed to be a definitive standard for the institutional design of sustainable aquaculture ecolabels.
In a press release, ELI claims "The Gold Standard's institutional framework is credible and practical, and compliant ecolabels will produce sustainable aquaculture practices on the ground".
The Gold Standard addresses weaknesses in existing ecolabeling programs, including lack of credibility, uncertain performance, and reliance on current practices to determine standards. By contrast, Gold Standard-compliant ecolabels rely on the best available science and state of the art institutional design to create and implement certification standards that ensure economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
"By adopting the Gold Standard, new or existing ecolabels can ensure that aquaculture production does not come at the cost of environmental degradation, social inequity, or harm to future generations," said Kathryn Mengerink, director of ELI's Ocean Program.
ELI will present the Gold Standard during an upcoming workshop hosted by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization to develop international standards for the design of aquaculture certification systems. "The Gold Standard will be influential in the upcoming negotiations and will strengthen our efforts to develop sustainable aquaculture ecolabels," said Mark J. Spalding, President of The Ocean Foundation.
