A Vancouver Aquarium Conservation Program

The Vancouver Aquarium is a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, education, research, and direct action. Ocean Wise is a Vancouver Aquarium conservation program created to educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood. Ocean Wise works directly with restaurants, markets, food services and suppliers ensuring that they have the most current scientific information regarding seafood and helping them make ocean-friendly buying decisions. The options are highlighted on their menus and display cases with the Ocean Wise symbol, making it easier for consumers to make environmentally friendly seafood choices. The Ocean Wise logo next to a menu or seafood item is an assurance that the item is a good choice for keeping ocean life healthy and abundant for generations to come.

Ocean Wise Recommendation Policy
Ocean Wise’s classification system is based on two categories: sustainable (Ocean Wise) or unsustainable (not recommended Ocean Wise). Species are regularly updated and/or reclassified with the latest scientific information.

General Rule of Recommendations
Ocean Wise recommendations are generated from assessments using the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program methodology: Wild Capture Criteria and Aquaculture Criteria. Ocean Wise recommendations are based on the rankings of each of the five assessment criteria of the Monterey Bay Aquarium report. In order to receive an Ocean Wise recommendation, a seafood item must be rated overall as a “Green/Best Choice” or meet all of the following requirements:

i. Have no red ratings among the 5 criteria
ii. Have at least 2 green ratings among the 5 criteria
iii. Not be harvested with any of the following unmodified invasive techniques deemed to be moderately or highly disruptive:

a. Bottom trawl

b. Dredge
c. Otter trawl
d. Pelagic longline

iv. Vulnerability must not be ranked as “vulnerable” if stock status is unknown

 The following graphics on FishChoice indicate how a particular seafood product is rated according to Ocean Wise:

	Recommended	Sustainable
	Not Recommended	Unsustainable

Click here to learn more about the Ocean Wise program.