Animal Keeper's Association of Africa

WWF has revised the SASSI seafood list using an internationally accepted best practice methodology. This methodology was developed by a number of organisations internationally through the Seafood Choices Alliance and is considered best practice for seafood pocket cards. The strength of the new methodology is that for the first time a transparent process is in place that identifies where a species or fishery is progressing well and where the outstanding challenges lie. It also clearly outlines how a species or fishery can move towards a ‘green’ status. Furthermore, since seafood is the most globally traded primary commodity it has become necessary to use a consistent methodology to assess both local and imported seafood so that consumers are presented with consistent advice in seafood pocket cards. This now facilitates fair comparison between countries and allows for the sharing of assessment results between countries. It also allows for the incorporation of new information as it becomes available.

In South Africa, the decision to use the “common methodology” was taken by the WWF Sustainable Fisheries Programme’s Advisory Committee (of which SASSI is a key component). This Committee has representatives from the fishing industry, restaurant and retail sectors as well as the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and government which endorsed a three phase process to the development of a revised SASSI list. The first phase was (a) a data/information collection phase, followed by (b) extensive consultation with relevant local and international experts (including input from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the University of Cape Town, the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), BirdLife South Africa, South African shark conservancy and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)), and finally (c) an external review phase. The review process for wild capture fisheries was led by Dr Kerry Sink from SANBI. The external panel included Bruce Mann (ORI), Dr Sven Kerwath (DAFF), Rob Leslie (DAFF), Martin Purves (MSC), Prideel Majiedt (SANBI) and Dr Ross Wanless (BirdLife). Based on fishing industry concerns, an expanded review panel was established to review key assessments, this panel included the original panel plus Prof George Branch (UCT), Prof Colin Attwood (UCT), and Dr Kim Prochazka, Dr Andy Cockroft, Tracey Fairweather, Dr Steve Lamberth and Dr Janet Coetzee from DAFF. The review process for aquaculture was led by Prof George Branch from the University of Cape Town. The panel included Prof Colin Attwood (UCT), Etienne Hendrichson (AASA), Dr Lizeth Botes (AISA), Dean Impson (CapeNature), Lourens De Wet (Stellenbosch University), Keagan Halley (DAFF), Chumo Morake (DAFF) and Cloverly Lawrence (SANBI).

The role of the panel was to review the draft assessments undertaken by SASSI staff and consultants, including scientific content, accuracy, consultation of appropriate experts for each assessment and consistency across assessments. Assessments rely heavily on broad scientific, biodiversity and fisheries management expertise and should be fairly and objectively applied across species and fishery sectors. The individuals on the review panel were included for their individual experience and their participation in the panel does not constitute organisational endorsement of the methodology or listing results. As is common practice in fishery assessments and seafood lists internationally, the review panel does not include anyone who represents an organization directly benefiting from the seafood industry. However, it is important that fishery or seafood industry stakeholders are provided with a mechanism to input into the process so as to ensure that all available information is considered. As such assessment summaries will available on the SASSI website (www.wwf.org.za/sassi) and full assessment can be requested by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Written comments providing substantiated information sources (including original copies of data, reports or peer-reviewed publications) will be reviewed by the SASSI review panel. Should new information become available stakeholders are encouraged to submit this information via the same email address.

Imported seafood (wild capture and farmed) are assessed by the appropriate local organisation in the country of origin and reviewed by the WWF international seafood co-ordinator to ensure consistent application of the common methodology. WWF South Africa draws these assessments from an international database for local use. Similarly, all assessments conducted or commissioned by WWF South Africa are submitted to this database for use on seafood pocket cards in countries where South African fish is regularly exported.

The above process has now been completed and the revised SASSI list will be publically available on the 9th September 2010. However, it is important to note that the SASSI list will be an on-going process with new species being assessed as required and as such the SASSI seafood database and seafood card will be regularly updated. Stakeholders are also reminded that while these assessments provide advice, they do not constitute any type of endorsement or eco-label. In order to verify the sustainability of any seafood product, WWF promotes the use of independent and credible 3rd party eco-labels such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and GlobalGAP. Furthermore, current SASSI assessments will be re-evaluated regularly.

The international methodology is reviewed and updated regularly and the SASSI review panel and experts that contributed to assessments are working on constructive recommendations to contribute to further refinement of the assessment methodology.
It is important to remember that the purpose of the SASSI list is to provide consumers and industry with easy-to-use information about the relative sustainability of the seafood available on the South African market. WWF is aware that some of the evaluations may have implications for companies involved in the seafood industry and will continue to work throughout the value chain to help fisheries improve the sustainability of their operations. Given the current threats facing our marine ecosystems, we believe that it is necessary to act now in order to ensure the long-term health of both our seafood industry and the marine resources upon which we all rely.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Dr Samantha Petersen WWF Sustainable Fisheries Programme

WWF has revised the SASSI seafood list using an internationally accepted best practice methodology, developed by a number of international NGOs for the explicit purpose of seafood assessments. This methodology was developed by a number of organisations internationally through the Seafood Choices Alliance and is considered best practice for seafood pocket cards. The strength of the new methodology is that, for the first time, a transparent process is in place that identifies where a species or fishery is progressing well and where the outstanding challenges lie. It also clearly outlines how a species or fishery can move towards a ‘green’ status. Furthermore, since seafood is the most globally traded primary commodity it has become necessary to use a consistent methodology to assess both local and imported seafood so that consumers are presented with consistent advice in seafood pocket cards. This now facilitates fair comparison between countries and allows for the sharing of assessment results between countries. It also allows for the incorporation of new information as it becomes available.

The methodology scores a species across three categories, namely (1) stock status, (2) ecological impacts of the fishery in which the species is caught, and (3) the management measures in place for that particular fishery. Based on the score received, the species is listed on the SASSI seafood list as either Red, which includes species from unsustainable populations and species that are illegal to buy or sell in South Africa; Orange, which includes species or fishing/farming methods that have associated ecological reasons for concern; or Green, which includes the most sustainable and well managed choices available. Furthermore, these assessments are desktop-based and are not third-party audited.

The SASSI list will be an on-going process with new species being assessed as required and as such the SASSI seafood database and seafood card will be regularly updated. Furthermore, current SASSI assessments will be re-evaluated regularly. The international methodology is reviewed and updated regularly and the SASSI review panel and experts that contributed to assessments are working on constructive recommendations to contribute to further refinement of the assessment methodology.

SASSI Assessment Process

Local species:

1. Notify interested and affected parties of assessment or review via the SASSI website, SANCOR network, SASSI Participants and RFA members, and invite relevant documentation (allow one month for receiving input).
2. WWF or WWF appointed consultant to conduct assessment.
3. Assessment to be sent out for confidential external review: two appropriate external reviewers (one stock related expert and one ecological expert) review all assessments for accuracy across assessments (this can be done via email). If there is agreement on the assessment outcome by both reviewers, the assessment is adopted. If there is not agreement, the assessment is reviewed by an external review panel.
4. External review panel: This panel has two functions a) review a sample of assessments to ensure consistency across assessments and b) review all assessments where agreement was not reached by reviewers. Where possible, consensus will be sought but, where no consensus is possible, decisions will be taken by majority.
   • -    Composition of the panel: It was agreed that it is not appropriate for industry to be a member of this panel. Thus, the panel should comprise of stock assessment, ecological and management/compliance expertise.
5. Notify interested and affected parties of assessment outcome via the SASSI website, SANCOR network, SASSI Participants and RFA members, which will be included into SASSI materials after at least 60 days.

International species:

1. Search International database and, if assessment has already been conducted, download assessment and proceed to step (2). If not, proceed to steps (3)-(6).
2. Notify interested and affected parties of assessment outcome via the SASSI website, SANCOR network and SASSI Participants, which will be included into SASSI materials after at least 60 days.
3. Notify interested and affected parties of international assessment to be undertaken via SASSI website, SANCOR network and SASSI Participants, and invite relevant documentation (allow one month to receive input).
4. WWF or WWF appointed consultant to conduct assessment.
5. Submission to WWF International database, subject to the WWF International submission terms.
6. Notify interested and affected parties of assessment outcome via the SASSI website, SANCOR network and SASSI Participants, which will be included into SASSI materials after at least 60 days.

Species review panel schedule

It will be necessary for the external panel to meet twice every year to a) review a sample of assessments to ensure consistency across assessments and b) review all assessments where agreement was not reached by reviewers. Thus, suggested dates for the review panel to meet are April and September of every year.

Dear all

In continued monitoring and evaluation for the WWF Sustainable Fisheries Programme, we are running an online survey on all of our consumer tools to gain a better understanding of how effective we are being in our communication with consumers. Through this process, we hope to gain insight into which of the tools are being used, what is working, what is not working and why not, and how they can be improved.

If you are interested in assisting us in this process, the survey is available on the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SASSIresearch. We would like to spread the net as widely as possible, so please forward this on to anyone you think might be interested in helping us in this.

Thanks and regards,
Janine Basson

The Sustainable Fisheries Programme: Fisher and Consumer Outreach
WWF South Africa
Unit 19 Foregate Square
Cnr Heerengracht and Table Bay Blvd.
P. O. Box 50035, Waterfront, 8002

Seafood Reconsidered

More and more people are considering seafood as a healthy and alternative natural protein source. In a time when many consumers regard products from conventional commercial land based farms with increasing suspicion, seafood is growing in popularity. Spurred on by the globalisation of markets, seafood has become the most traded commodity in the world. This is driven on further by trend setters in the culinary world, seafood has exploded onto restaurant menus and retail store shelves.

But less widely known or publicised are the conservation issues surrounding seafood species. Many of our seafood species are harvested at unsustainable rates, and in many cases the activity of fishing may cause unacceptable damage to the oceans ecosystem with potential for serious long-term effects.

If we want to continue to enjoy the variety and diversity of seafood that we have become accustomed to for decades to come, we need to start making informed choices now.

There is also the innovative SASSI FishMS service which enables seafood consumers to text the name of a fish to 079-499-8795 to find out whether it is on the red, orange or green list. In addition to the FishMS service, consumers can also visit the official SASSI website and mobi site  to access the SASSI list and further information.