Audubon Nature Institute‘s Gulf United for Fisheries (G.U.L.F.) continues its mission to ensure the viability of Gulf of Mexico fisheries by certifying Louisiana blue crab under its new certification program. The G.U.L.F. Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Certification is a regionalized model measuring the responsible use of our vibrant Gulf of Mexico fisheries.

“It’s exciting to see the Louisiana blue crab achieve G.U.L.F. RFM certification,” said Susan Marks, Sustainability Director, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. “Participation by the Gulf States, alongside Iceland and Alaska, provides customers another credible and cost-effective choice in demonstrating responsible sourcing and 3rd party certification.”

The Louisiana blue crab fishery is the first to go through the process and receive the G.U.L.F. RFM certification. The certification is based on internationally-accepted principles laid out by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in their Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and Ecolabelling Guidelines for Fish and Fishery Products to ensure that seafood is responsibly harvested for sustainable use.

“This is the culmination of a comprehensive process to create a certification unique to the fisheries and management systems of the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico,” said Laura Picariello, Technical Programs Manager for G.U.L.F. “Throughout the process, G.U.L.F. consulted with a Fisheries Technical Advisory Committee comprised of researchers, resource managers, industry members, and other stakeholders from the Gulf of Mexico region. G.U.L.F. continues to work closely with fishermen and resource managers to facilitate communication and outreach to ensure the process is transparent and thorough.”

Fisheries certified under the umbrella of G.U.L.F. will gain stability in a marketplace with ever increasing demands for sustainability verification.

Get more information about G.U.L.F.’s certification of Louisiana blue crab.