FAQS

Fish Forward was created by a partnership of provincial, federal and international organizations to secure a sustainable future for Manitoba’s fisheries and ensure that local, sustainable fish is promoted, sold and celebrated by local businesses.

The Government of Manitoba has a mandate to secure the sustainability and eco-certification of commercial fisheries in the province and as such, is committed to continuing its work with fisheries and other partners to advance progress towards these goals.

The vision for Indigenous Services Canada is to support and empower Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities.

Fish Forward welcomes all local Manitoba fisheries that are either MSC certified sustainable, undergoing an MSC assessment toward eco-certification, or participating in a credible, public Fishery Improvement Project that will last no more than five (5) years and has the stated goal of leading to MSC certification.

All seafood buyers, wholesalers, food service providers, retailers and restaurants that share our values and want to support the long-term sustainability of Manitoba fisheries and the communities that depend on them can join the program by committing to buying and promoting local fish only from Fish Forward member fisheries.

Fish Forward is funded by the Manitoba Ministry of Natural Resources and Northern Development and Indigenous Services Canada.

Together, in partnership with the MSC and IISD, we are here to help guide and support interested fisheries through the eco-certification process, provide resources and financial assistance where possible, and help connect local member fisheries to local businesses.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a global non-profit dedicated to ending overfishing and promoting the sustainable consumption of seafood around the world. Working with scientists, fisheries, industry experts, and other non-profits the MSC aims to improve the way our ocean, lakes and rivers are fished.

The program incentivizes sustainable fishing practices by creating market preference and demand for MSC certified sustainable seafood. This rewards fisheries that invest in improving their practices to achieve eco-certification. Find out more at msc.org

Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of their food choices on the planet and expect producers, brands and retailers to sell products that minimize damage to the environment.

Credibly demonstrating the sustainability of seafood products is important to building and maintaining the trust of today’s more conscious, well-informed and discerning consumers.

Products with the proven and trusted MSC eco-certification labels ensure that fishery practices are rigorously assessed before they can be called sustainable, help combat illegal fishing and avoid questionable practices like mislabeling or seafood fraud.

While local foods can have a lower carbon footprint due to shorter distances travelled to get to your plate, the simple fact of being harvested locally does not automatically make fish sustainable.

For example, even 30 years after the cod collapse off the Grand Banks on Canada’s East coast those stocks still haven’t fully recovered to a point where they could be called sustainable. Yet, they are local to many communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Contact us at info@fishforward.ca to find out how you can join Fish Forward to support Manitoba fisheries first and help us preserve the Manitoba fishery way of life.