The Standard for Environmental Responsibility in the Commercialization of Marine Fish is a framework for the certification of restaurants, supermarkets and distributors of marine fish that seeks to promote good consumption and commercialization practices. 

These practices are governed by principles and criteria that contribute to the future availability of species, so that they may continue to be exploited by traders and consumers. The Standard does not include imported fish, cultivated species, fresh water fish or shellfish. 

Our oceans currently suffer from overfishing, putting the stability of marine ecosystems and the natural foundation of this important economic activity at risk. Nearly 900 million people in the world depend on fish as their main source of protein. Fishing generates nearly 200 million jobs, making its sustainability a topic of great socioeconomic importance.

The growing demand for marine products, the technological development of fishing boats and increasingly sophisticated fishing techniques have all contributed to the growing seriousness of overexploitation, significantly reducing the quantity and quality of resources available to fishers and the companies that sell their products. Eighty percent of commercial species are overfished, and some scientists estimate that in 30 years many of these species may have disappeared altogether.

In order to ensure long-term marine resources, fishers, traders and consumers should be aware of the type of fish that is extracted, where it comes from, and how it was obtained before its sale and consumption. To contribute to this awareness-raising process and change in consumption practices, the MarViva Foundation has developed a Standard for Environmental Responsibility in the Commercialization of Marine Fish, directed to companies that commercialize marine fish and seek to promote better commercial practices.

The objective of the Standard is to certify companies that sell marine fish that has been caught and commercialized under principles and criteria that promote the conservation of fish stocks and foster responsible consumption.

The implementation of the Standard begins when a restaurant, supermarket or distributor, shows interest in the process, followed by the signing of a confidentiality agreement protecting the assessment that will be conducted by the MarViva Foundation.

During this phase, recommendations and a technical assistance plan are established, which are later discussed with the company and are eventually included in a cooperation agreement for the implementation of the Standard.

Once the activities from the implementation plan have been carried out, the MarViva Foundation conducts an internal audit that precedes a verification and certification process by an external entity (endorsed for this purpose).

Certification with the MarViva Foundation Standard can be granted at two different levels. The difference between these two levels lies in the volume of commercialized fresh fish that complies with the marine fish species conservation criteria.

Level 2 (Silver): refers to companies for which at least 40% of the total commercialized volume of fresh marine fish complies with the species conservation criteria. For the remaining 60% of the volume, the company must comply with the marine fish species conservation criteria: certainty of the identity of the species, threat status, size at first maturity, and respect for closed seasons.

Level 1 (Gold): refers to restaurants, supermarkets and distributors for which 100% of the fish volume supplied comply with all conservation requirements, indicating that the company’s entire fresh marine product complies with responsible fishing criteria. 

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