Fish for Life in Action

The Fish for Life Healthcheck

At present there are no statutory requirements for seafood processors to ensure the sustainable nature of the fish they supply. That’s why Fish for Life has its own detailed criteria to assess supply fisheries, the Fish for Life Healthcheck mechanism.

The Healthcheck is a bespoke tool which puts the ‘Ten Principles for Responsible Fish Procurement’ into action. It systematically assesses the risk factors of each fishery to produce a ‘Low, Medium or High’ risk assessment. This allows identification of any areas of concern, gives clear direction for corrective action and allows purchasing decisions to be based on a clear understanding of the sustainability status of each fishery.

1. Certification status - e.g. is the fishery MSC certified?
2. Stock status – based on reputable scientific advice
3. Legality and Management
4. By-catch and Environment

The Fish for Life Healthcheck is managed as part of Young’s and Findus standard vendor management and assessment processes. It is now operated in partnership with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (www.sustainablefish.org), using all available fisheries science to accurately report on the sustainability status of individual fish stocks.

The Fish for Life Healthcheck process

Case Studies

One of the most important elements of Fish for Life is the programme of engagement it drives with suppliers and the wider industry. Here are some case studies to illustrate this.