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Selling Sustainable Seafood

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The aquaculture industry around the world has struggled to keep up as consumer demand for seafood has quadrupled over the last 50 years. By 2050, humanity will likely consume more fish and shellfish than it did in the past century. Dietary limitations, population growth, cost, new fishing methods, and culture all play a role.

The rate with which humans fish and consume seafood is too fast for marine life to recuperate. The concept of sustainable seafood can help remedy this problem.

What is Sustainable Seafood?

Sustainable seafood is one of the most ecologically responsible protein sources on the planet. In Australia, both farmed and wild-caught seafood are sustainable if managed in a way that protects the marine environment. This means that seafood is caught at a level where future generations will still be able to enjoy them. 

Organizations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) use their blue fish tick to raise global awareness about the importance of choosing sustainable seafood practices.

Sustainable Seafood

Sustainable Seafood Australia

Wild Caught & Farmed Seafood

The seafood that Australia produces as a nation comes from both wild-caught and farmed sources. Farming contributes to around 44% while fisheries (the capture of wild resources) make up 56%. 

The Australian government works on improving the fishing industry and bringing them up to more sustainable standards. Bycatch, bottom trawling, and overfishing issues are addressed with special projects, and innovation in the fishing industry is needed to lessen impacts on our natural environment.

Seafood farms supply almost half the demand for the Australian market with a wide variety of choices. Australia’s aquaculture industry produces approximately 40 different species of seafood, including barramundi, Atlantic salmon, Murray cod, oysters, and prawns.

A private company is set to launch “Project Sea Dragon,” which aims to produce 150,000 tons of farmed tiger prawns. Although this is set to become one of the largest in the world, it is well regulated so there is no need for worry. Australian prawn farming has a low impact on coastal systems and is now thought to be a key factor in safeguarding future seafood production.

Farmed and wild-caught practices must coexist. Either practice cannot singularly supply the demands of the consumers if the industry merely relies on one.

Sustainable Packaging in Australia

Sustainability is not only limited to how the seafood is farmed and caught. To ensure that good intentions are kept until the end consumer, sustainable packaging needs to be in the picture too. Sustainable packaging is at the forefront of Close the Loop’s goals. With the nation’s big move to better packaging practices, we understand that some enterprises need the help of experts like us to make the move as easy as possible.

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Types of Sustainable Packaging Options

Recyclable

Close the Loop offers recyclable packaging materials in order to limit the use of problematic plastics while also ensuring longer shelf life than previously achievable with mono-polymer films.

Compostable

Compostable pouches and rewind films that meet various Australian standards are available for some applications. Get in touch with us to discuss compostable and biodegradable options for your business.

More Sustainable Seafood Packaging

When customers purchase fish/seafood, more often than not, they will always want it fresh or frozen straight from the catch. There is a massive difference between fresh tuna and canned tuna for instance, which has been processed and cooked for prolonged shelf life. We want our Australian clientele to trust us and know that our seafood packaging options are of the highest quality regardless of what seafood product will be packed. A lot of effort and energy goes into procuring produce and seafood items, and packaging needs to help preserve the taste, quality, and freshness of the products, for as long as possible. 

We utilise tailor-made recyclable films and boxes to store, package, and sell your seafood products. Our food packaging solutions made from recyclable materials are built to provide better materials for recovery, without compromising your delicate items.

Together we can create visually appealing and durable packaging for any of your seafood products.

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Common Questions About Sustainable Seafood

Sustainable seafood is the process of fishing or farming with minimal environmental and social impact. This practice prevents overfishing, protects habitats, and deals with socio-economic problems.

The WWF and MSC are asking companies to make the better choice when it comes to handling seafood farming and wild caught fish. Organizations like these are needed to lead to more sustainable fishing practices for the whole industry.

Ecological and Ethical

Wild-caught and farmed fish has a far lower carbon footprint than raising beef and pork. It also takes less fresh water and feed, while occupying a smaller area to harvest. Now more than ever, it’s critical to rethink our global food chains and encourage seafood sustainability.

Global Food Security

3 billion people globally eat fish daily, according to the UN. Sustainable seafood protects future fish stock, which benefits everyone. Sustainable choices, adequate laws, and technical advancements in fishing methods can help achieve this.

Marine Resource Conservation

Sustainable fishing methods will help safeguard marine biodiversity, especially endangered species. As a consumer, making informed seafood choices will also push conglomerates to be more conscious about how they meet consumer demands. It’s good to be on the lookout for the blue fish tick that means the food has reached you through responsible means.

Yes, but only if action is taken immediately. According to a Food and Agriculture Organization assessment, 34.2% of the world’s fisheries are unsustainable. 

Working across the supply chain, organisations are making an effort to make seafood farming as sustainable as possible.

This is primarily determined by the requirements of your products. We can create the best seafood packaging bags by tailoring plastic film specifications to your product. These films can be used to make standard pouches, vacuum pouches, or lids for formed containers. OF Pack can also supply shrink or thermoforming films, which are an efficient way to pack and display seafood products.

Packaging is only sustainable if it protects and prolongs the items inside- otherwise we’re attributing to food waste and wasting the various efforts that went into the food production itself. 

Want more information about sustainable packaging practices?

Give us a call anytime. Our experts would be happy to tell you all about our company and the packaging services that we offer!

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