Uproar over plan to label endangered Aussie fish with 'sustainable' tick
MSC thinks the orange roughy could be fished sustainably. But critics say endangered species should not be on our menus.
An Aussie fish that was so popular it was fished to the verge of extinction, could soon be sold as a “sustainable” option. Orange roughy can live up to 250 years, and so they are slow to reproduce and this makes them particularly vulnerable to overfishing and that’s what occurred in the 1980s and 1990s.
You’re probably familiar with the group that’s considering giving it a “blue tick”, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as it certifies John West tuna. It told Yahoo News the decision about orange roughy will come down to a transparent assessment led by independent experts and peer-reviewed science, and that no final decision has been made.
Despite uncertainty about whether it will be certified, the plan has caused an uproar. The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has lodged an objection, accusing MSC of having weakened its own standards, by allowing endangered species to be considered for certification.
A spokesperson for the non-profit conservation group Adrian Meder argues “most Australians would be appalled at the thought of eating an endangered animal”.
“MSC will undermine its credibility with the public as an authority on sustainable seafood if it gives the orange roughy its trusted blue tick,” he added.
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Why is MSC considering giving orange roughy its blue tick?
It’s not the first time an application has been made to certify a specific fishery where orange roughy lives. An attempt in 2021 was rejected because of its conservation status.
The decision now will be based on whether it is accepted the fish can be fished sustainably in Australia’s Orange Roughy fishery (eastern zone).
Asked whether a decision to approve orange roughy could hurt MSC’s brand reputation, its senior fisheries program Matthew Watson said the company would ultimately respect the science.
He describes orange roughy as having a “bit of a legacy” and it often draws strong feelings from conservation groups.
“The history of a fish like this should not be forgotten, but we also shouldn't hold a 21st century view of how it should be managed,” he told Yahoo News.
“Orange roughy has its biological sensitivities — it’s long-lived and inhabits a deeper part of the ocean – and as such it does raise the attention of conservationists who want to safeguard our ocean resources. And that’s understandable.
“But this fishery legally operates under the Australian federal government and they have chosen voluntarily to endgame for an MSC assessment.”
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AMCS argues the government should not be allowing endangered species to be fished at all.
“How can fishing an endangered species be considered in any way sustainable? An endangered species list is not a sustainable seafood shopping list,” Watson said.
A decision is expected in the next six months.
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