Our Efforts

At High Liner, we are not just working with suppliers who are already certified as sustainable, we are also taking a proactive role in improving fisheries and aquaculture programs around the world.

When we made our commitment to sustainability, we began work in conjunction with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) to survey all of our source fisheries and aquaculture operations to determine which were already sustainable, which could be improved and which should be avoided because they did not engage in responsible business practices.  From there, we developed programs and strategies to take a proactive role in improving fisheries and aquaculture programs worldwide.

As the leading seafood company in North America, we have brought together the key stakeholders, from the suppliers through to the retailers, so we can all work together to support SFP’s Fishery Improvement Projects.  Through this work, more and more fisheries are being certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as sustainable.

High Liner has been directly involved in a number of Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs):

Russian Pollock

The Russian Pollock has been called the most important groundfish species in the world because it is the world’s largest source of edible fish.

Living in the West Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, the Russian Pollock’s numbers had been steadily declining in the face of over-fishing.  That’s why the Russian Pollock FIP was started by the SFP in 2009.

The goal is to not only meet the target sustainable levels required for MSC approval, but to exceed them. Top industry experts and scientists have been working together on this challenge.

We are pleased to report that this fishery is expected to achieve MSC certification by March 2013.

Russian Wild Salmon

Two years ago, High Liner joined with SFP to establish a FIP for Russian Wild Salmon.  As of November 2012, 15% of this fishery has already been certified by MSC as sustainable.

High Liner has helped bring together the fishermen and buyers in this region to support this FIP and we expect to make significant strides towards sustainability in early 2013.

Russian Pacific Cod (long line)

Working with SFP and MSC, High Liner helped bring together the largest companies working in the Russian Pacific Cod (long line) fishery in October 2012.  This meeting led to the establishment of an agreement-in-principle for a FIP and we are hopeful a project will begin in early 2013.

North Atlantic Cod

High Liner took a very active role with the World Wildlife Federation to help establish a FIP for North Atlantic Cod in the 3Ps (southern) region of Newfoundland and Labrador.