US Seattle-based natural resource company, Blue North, says it has introduced the world’s first initiative to ensure humane harvesting of wild fish and establish ethical standards for fish harvesting.
The founding advisory board of the Humane Harvest Initiative™ includes experts in low-stress fishing methods from Washington State University and FishChoice and other experts in sustainability, low-impact fishing methods, retail and wholesale sales and nutritional and quality assurance.
Kenny Down, president and CEO at Blue North, said: “This initiative represents a major step forward for Blue North, furthering our goal to provide the purest, healthiest whole food to our customers while at the same time being conscientious about how we treat marine life.”
One of the ways the HHI is working to establish more ethical practices is through the development of an innovative device that reduces stress and pain in wild fish during harvest.
Blue North currently uses a pneumatic stunning machine on one of its vessels, which uses air pressure to render the fish’s central nervous system asleep before processing. But it’s also developing a next generation device that relies on electrodes for added efficiency.
In addition to being a more humane method, studies have shown that stress reduction prior to processing produces higher quality and healthier products for consumers.
Blue North has a history of sustainable practices. Its primary product, wild Alaska line-caught cod, was the first commercial cod fishery to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and designated as a "Best Choice" by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch programme.
