The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) has formally recognized the Audubon Nature Institute’s Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries (G.U.L.F.) Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) seafood sustainability certification program. This recognition means that the G.U.L.F RFM program meets the same standards as other established and respected international seafood sustainability certification programs. As a result, Gulf seafood suppliers now have access to a regional program that can credibly assess the sustainability of Gulf fisheries, rather than having to solely rely on international certifications or rating schemes from organizations unfamiliar with or not applicable to the Gulf’s unique fisheries.Gulf of Mexico Seafood Sustainability Certification Program Achieves International Recognition

The GSSI has determined that the G.U.L.F. RFM certification standard aligns with all applicable Essential Components of the GSSI Global Benchmark Tool, which is based on the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Technical Guidelines for the Ecolabelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries and consists of performance areas related to scheme governance, operational management (including chain of custody), and applied wild-capture fisheries audit standards.

Since 2012, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the Audubon Nature Institute, and stakeholders across the Gulf have worked together to develop the G.U.L.F. RFM certification program as  a seafood sustainability certification program that is more attuned to the particular biological, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions in Gulf fisheries. Currently, the Louisiana blue crab fishery is certified to the G.U.L.F. RFM standard, as well as that of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), another GSSI-recognized program. LDWF continues to work with stakeholders in other fisheries who wish to demonstrate the sustainability of their fishery products through seafood sustainability certifications.

For more information on the G.U.L.F. RFM program, visit www.audubongulf.org .

For more information on the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, visit www.ourgssi.org .

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us atwww.wlf.la.gov. To receive email alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.