Why you should always ask if your fish is eco-certified

Less than 5% of farmed fish worldwide is eco-certified. That statistic alone raises an important question: do you know how your fish was raised?

Eco-certification isn’t a trend or a marketing buzzword. It’s one of the clearest ways consumers can understand whether their seafood was produced responsibly — for the environment, for fish welfare, and for the people and communities involved.

What Does “Eco-Certified Fish” Actually Mean?

Eco-certifications like Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) are internationally recognized, third‑party programs. They don’t rely on self‑reported claims. Instead, farms must undergo regular, independent audits to prove they meet strict standards.

Certification provides proof, not promises.

Why Certification Matters

When fish is not eco-certified, there is no independent oversight of how it was produced. That means there is no verified standard for:

• Environmental protection
• Fish health and welfare
• Feed sourcing
• Chemical and antibiotic use
• Food safety practices
• Worker training and safety

Eco-certification exists because good intentions alone don’t protect ecosystems or food systems — accountability does.

Comparable to Organic — and Then Some

Eco-certification encompasses much of what consumers associate with organic food standards.

For example, BAP audits farms on:

• Feed ingredients and sourcing
• Chemical and antibiotic usage
• Responsible feed mill certification

But certification doesn’t stop there.

Feed, Water, and the Bigger Picture

Certified aquaculture looks beyond the fish itself and considers the entire system.

Eco-certified farms must:

• Source feed from responsibly certified suppliers
• Conduct additional water quality testing
• Monitor surrounding rivers and ecosystems
• Follow stricter environmental safeguards

Healthy fish depend on healthy water — and certification makes that non‑negotiable.

Fish Welfare Is Built Into the Standards

Eco-certification enforces clear, science‑based rules around fish welfare.

These include strict guidelines for:

• Stocking densities
• Fish handling and transport
• Stress reduction throughout the production cycle

Fish welfare isn’t optional or subjective — it’s regulated and audited.

Food Safety and Biosecurity Go Further

Eco-certified farms go beyond baseline food safety requirements.

They must meet enhanced standards for:

• Chemical residue testing
• Biosecurity and sanitation
• Traceability systems
• Ongoing food safety training for staff

This results in safer seafood and stronger consumer trust.

What It Takes to Stay Certified

Maintaining eco-certification is not easy — and that’s the point.

For example, BAP certification requires farms to comply with 336 separate regulations, with ongoing audits and documentation. Certification must be earned repeatedly, not claimed once.

Why Asking the Question Matters

Because only a small fraction of the world’s farmed fish is eco-certified, asking “Is this fish eco-certified?” matters more than ever.

That question:

• Encourages transparency
• Rewards responsible producers
• Helps raise industry standards
• Supports sustainable Canadian seafood

If a seller can’t clearly explain how their fish is certified, that lack of clarity is information in itself.

The Bottom Line

Eco-certified fish shouldn’t be the exception — it should be the expectation.

Choosing eco-certified Canadian fish and seafood supports sustainability, animal welfare, food safety, and responsible aquaculture practices that align closely with organic principles.

Always ask where your fish comes from. The future of seafood depends on it.