IFQs represent a single but significant part of the Alliance’s work toward sustainability in the Gulf. Our commitment to the resource is proving to be a model of how to move “red listed” fish into recovery. With an industry unified by sustainability, we’re landing support from distributors, restaurants and consumers-at-large whose patronage of responsible fisheries and those demonstrating improvements is clearly an important factor in recovery.

Our multi-faceted sustainability plan:

Fishery-Wide IFQ Adoption: We support fishery-wide IFQs, and actively helped design the newest IFQ programs (Jan. 2010 launch) for grouper and tilefish species in the Gulf.

Sustainability Certification: The Alliance is currently undergoing next-level, third-party certification as a bonafide sustainable fishery.

Chain of Authenticity: Targeting the growth of “imposter” fish, the Alliance is developing a global confirmation system to ensure authenticity that tracks each fish from boat to buyer.

Sustainable Management Systems: The Alliance embraces on-board monitoring, voluntary cameras, and other transparent practices.

Sustainable Fishermen Initiatives: The Alliance assists Commercial fishermen in their transition to more sustainable operations.

Seafood Summits: Our educational “lunch and learns” in cities across America educate fish buyers and high-end restaurateurs on how to source fish from sustainable brokers.

Critical Resource and Consumer Research: We’re engaged in a variety of data initiatives designed to show how sustainable practices in the Gulf brings longer seasons, higher quality product, and more stable prices at market.