Eco-labeling seafood: Addressing impacts to vulnerable seafloor species, communities, habitats and ecosystems in data-poor regions

Certification and eco-labeling schemes for the ecological sustainability of seafood have increased in recent years due, in large part, to consumer demand. While most attention has been focused on the population status and trends of target and bycatch species, the conservation of vulnerable species, communities, habitats and ecosystems (VSCHEs) has not consistently been addressed in an adequate manner, especially in data-poor systems. Unfortunately knowledge of VSCHE distribution patterns is inadequate, and even the leading fishery certification agencies only broadly address impacts to VSCHEs. Little guidance has been given to third party certifiers for gathering and evaluating appropriate information for assessing VSCHEs, and there is no explicitly precautionary method of assessing their vulnerability in an information poor environment. These shortcomings led to significant differences in how the impacts of fisheries on VSCHEs have been evaluated from one assessment to another, potentially resulting in a certified fishery when existing information suggests there are significant impacts. This study develops an explicit approach for data mining and evaluation for the eco-labeling certification process; proposes a precautionary method for assessing vulnerability of VSCHEs based on exposure, sensitivity and resilience and provides an example of how these can be integrated into existing fishery certification frameworks. This overall approach is also amenable for use by governmental agencies to advance conservation of VSCHEs within ecosystem-based management frameworks.