In our second entry of the 2 Questions – 6 Perspectives campaign, we hear from Michelle Boonstra, a seasoned expert in fisheries and sustainability, who contributes her deep knowledge to the VeriFish project.
Michelle opens her reflection by highlighting a critical distinction: “Fisheries are not like other animal products. With those, you often deal with one species and one production system. In fisheries, we are navigating a world of many species and an array of gear types, each presenting its own sustainability challenges.”
This diversity in seafood sourcing and production methods introduces substantial complexity for sustainability communication. It is not just about identifying whether a product is sustainable or not, but understanding the broader context: where the seafood comes from, how it was harvested, what species it is, and what environmental or social implications are tied to that process.
“The big challenge,” Michelle notes, “is how to make complex matter more simple for consumers and for people who work with seafood. We like the challenge, and we’re slowly progressing with that.”
This effort to translate complexity into clarity lies at the heart of the VeriFish project. By developing a robust indicator framework and engaging stakeholders from across the value chain, VeriFish aims to support informed decision-making for both consumers and professionals.
Stay tuned for more perspectives in our ongoing series. Every voice adds depth to our collective understanding of sustainable seafood.
✨ Learn more about the campaign: 2 Questions – 6 Perspectives
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