Olympic athletes at this month's games in Rio will fuel up on sustainable seafood from certified fisheries, in a responsible sourcing drive the Olympic Organising Committee (OOC) claims has encouraged many fisheries in Brazil to improve their standards.
Athletes and media in Brazil are expected to consume more than 70 tonnes - around 350,000 portions - of seafood over the two-week Games, from fisheries or farms that meet guidelines set by the Marine Fisheries Council (MSC) or the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
According to the OOC, the sourcing commitment is the highest proportion of sustainable seafood in any Olympic or Paralympic Games to date.
Julie Duffus, sustainability manager on the Rio 2016 organising committee, said the certified seafood will help reward responsible producers and alleviate environmental concerns.
"Millions of people attending this year's Games will be able to enjoy sustainably and responsibly sourced seafood knowing that they are helping to support thriving fishing and farming communities and to protect the environment," she said in a statement.
MSC and ASC fisheries meet globally recognised standards for sustainable wild fishing or responsible farming policies. Certified fisheries follow best practice to protect fish stocks, maintain ocean health and minimise any environmental damage from fishing. Sustainable fisheries currently catch around one tenth of all wild seafood.
For the 2016 games wild Icelandic cod, Brazilian farmed tilapia, Chilean salmon and Argentinian hoki will all be on the menu.
The varied supply chain means many fisheries in the region have improved their sourcing standards in order to secure Olympics contracts, the OOC said. (businessGreen)
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