Photo: CSI

Certified Seafood International Launches Global Wild-Capture Seafood Certification Program

CANADA
Friday, April 25, 2025, 05:30 (GMT + 9)

New initiative led by a global governing board aims to provide affordable, effective eco-certification, expand access for high-performing fisheries, and enhance seafood transparency.

Certified Seafood International, Inc. (CSI) is announcing its launch as a new global option for the eco-certification of wild-capture seafood. CSI's mission is to deliver an affordable and effective program that provides credible assurance to consumers, expands access to certification for more high-performing fisheries worldwide, and promotes greater transparency regarding the origin of the seafood we consume.

“Ensuring the health and productivity of our wild-capture fisheries for future generations is a shared goal,” stated Christine Penney, Chair of the CSI Board and Vice President of Sustainability and Public Affairs at Clearwater Seafoods. “Credible third-party certification programs are crucial for recognizing responsible management practices and providing market assurance. We are pleased that CSI will broaden the choices available to seafood stakeholders globally.”

CSI's development involved partnerships with established and reputable regional certification programs, with the aim of building upon their existing successes. Notably, the certifications and standards of the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI)-benchmarked Responsible Fishery Management (RFM) program are being integrated into CSI. This significant inclusion means that approximately 3 million metric tons of current fishery landings are already certified under the new CSI umbrella.

The program's newly formed global governing board comprises experienced individuals from key seafood nations, including Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“The CSI program will rigorously assess fisheries against a clear and robust Fisheries Standard firmly grounded in the Guidelines of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),” explained Mike Kraft, CSI Executive Director. “We firmly believe that a stable standard, focused directly on fisheries management and based on internationally recognized UN principles, provides the clarity and consistency that is essential for fisheries striving to achieve credible certification.”

CSI offers a valuable feature of identifying the specific harvest origin directly on its eco-label. This is one key aspect of the enhanced transparency that CSI is committed to promoting over time.

Further details about the CSI Program are readily available at csicertified.org.

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