Sustainable Seafood
From rippling rivers to the shining sea, the animals that live in these environments need healthy waters. People worldwide also rely on thriving aquatic ecosystems for many reasons, including for an important protein source and livelihood. That’s why Shedd is committed to supporting sustainable fisheries – from freshwater ponds, streams, rivers and lakes to our vast ocean – for the benefit of the ecosystem and all of us that rely on them.
What is Sustainable Seafood?
Seafood is considered sustainable when it has a healthy population in the wild, is from a well-managed fishery and is caught or farmed using environmentally friendly practices. Overfishing can lead to the collapse of a species, imbalance within an ecosystem and negative social and economic impacts to communities that depend on fish.
Sustainable seafood can be farmed or wild-caught. Aquaculture or fish farming is critical to meeting the global seafood demand while sustaining wild fisheries, and currently over half of the seafood consumed in the United States is farmed. The sustainability and health of a seafood farm is dependent on the species being raised and the location of the farm, as well as the practices and management taking place.
What You Can Do
Choosing sustainable and responsibly sourced fishes, both marine and freshwater, is one of the most direct actions you can take to help the same aquatic animal species that live at Shedd and to protect the health of our waterways. Each of us can be a culinary conservationist through what we choose to put on our plates.
What steps can you take?
- Select sustainable seafood recommended by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program.
- When shopping for fish, look for certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council blue fish label, ensuring that the seafood comes from fisheries that are independently assessed and deemed sustainable.
- Mix it up! More than half of the seafood Americans eat is shrimp, salmon or tuna. Eating a variety of seafood helps relieve the pressure on popular fish populations.
What Shedd is Doing
Conservation Research
Our conservation research scientists are advancing our understanding of aquatic animals across the globe, from exploring Queen conch populations to pinpointing penguin diets. Using their findings, we can help inform and advocate for strong, science-based recommendations for fisheries management and sustainability efforts. That includes working with our conservation partners to establish management approaches that will help depleted fish populations recover, and garnering recognition for the role freshwater fisheries play in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Animal Care and Wellbeing
Closer to home, Shedd prioritizes sourcing sustainable seafood to feed the animals that live here. We order fishes like white shrimp for stingrays, capelin for the Pacific white-sided dolphins and many other species from the most sustainable sources, verified by a tool called FishChoice that's commonly used by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) partners. We are also reducing our carbon footprint by ordering seafood for the animals from local vendors whenever possible.
Shedd also grows living organisms, like zooplankton at the bottom of the food chain, through a program called live foods. Live foods reduce the need to source food from the ocean and decrease the packing waste and carbon footprint generated from shipping food.
Dining and Special Events
Our dedicated food and beverage partner, Sodexo, is also committed to serving guests sustainable seafood in Shedd's restaurants and at special events. Sodexo ensures that 100% of the fish and seafood it sources, with clearly defined criteria, adheres to sustainability standards. This commitment protects seafood supply and ocean ecosystems for future generations, supports fair working conditions and promotes livelihoods and economic benefits across the entire supply chain.