Download the 2024 Project Report
By ‘walking the walk’ and leading by example we can increase consumer awareness and demand for sustainable seafood and accelerate market change toward shark-friendly alternatives.
The SAFE Sharks and Rays Sustainable Feed Working Group is poised to position AZA institutions as champions of sustainable seafood. We have an opportunity to place sharks and rays within the wider narrative on sustainable fisheries and to engage partners by taking collective action on sourcing policies in both animal feed and catering operations.
We are currently working with Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) and SAFE Shark and Ray partner organizations, along with seafood vendors and participants from the AZA Nutrition Advisory Group (AZANAG), to launch a pilot Business Commitment to “Feed Sustainable Seafood.” This commitment will help move our purchasing practices to only sustainably rated feed and/or alternatives for the animals in our care. In addition, we will be releasing a Communications Toolkit very soon to help participating institutions communicate this effort and survey findings to their audiences, in person and online.
Sustainable Feed Pilot Organizations
We would like to take this opportunity to thank and highlight the eleven ACP/SAFE partners that have pledged the business commitment in year 1, working towards the goal to “Feed Sustainable” seafood to the animals in their care. What they learn and experience in the upcoming year will provide a foundation for how we can all join in this commitment in the future.
Those organizations include: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seattle Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, New York Aquarium/WCS, Audubon Aquarium of the America’s. Vancouver Aquarium, Aquarium of the Pacific, New England Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium and North Carolina Aquariums on Roanoke Island and Pine Knoll Shores.
In addition, these teams are working with Inform Evaluation and Research to undergo an external evaluation and pilot project assessment to help us continue to learn, grow, and further develop this program for increased participation from partner organizations in year 2.
How can I participate?
- Contact the SAFE team if you are interested in assessing your seafood purchased for animal feeds by emailing: windykent@safesharks.org.
- Follow along with our journey over the next 12 months. Stay current with updates here, on our website, and participate in our discussions at conferences. We will be onboarding additional organizations to participate in this Business Commitment upon completion of the pilot. So begin conversations with your teams now, so you can join us in year 2.
- Talk to your animal care teams, nutritionist and veterinarians about your current seafood purchases/feeds for the animals in your care. Explore the following to start your journey toward “Feeding Sustainable” within your own organization!
- How are you storing and prepping your feed products to reduce waste?
- Are your animals eating a varied seafood diet to ensure their nutrition needs are being met, but also to maximize your options should one food source become less available or rated unsustainable?
- Use the FishChoice My Assessment Tool to evaluate the sustainability of the products you are currently purchasing.
- Talk to your seafood vendors to be sure the products you are currently purchasing are rated sustainable (green or yellow) by Seafood Watch.