Organic Fish Cannot Cost Our Oceans

We expect the organic label to mean the food we're buying is produced in a way that is better for the environment. But right now, the national board that advises the USDA on setting organic standards is proposing to certify aquaculture practices that are already harming our oceans.

The proposed standards allow wild fish to be used in 'organic' feed and net pens in the ocean to be used to grow 'organic' fish.

These proposed standards are no different than practices currently used by the salmon farming industry--practices that are causing the pollution of our marine ecosystems, the transfer of diseases and parasites to wild fish, and ecologically damaging escapes of farmed fish. The use of wild fish as feed runs the risk of undermining global marine and human food systems.

A vote is scheduled in Washington this month on what kind of fish farming practices can be labeled organic. Tell the National Organic Standards Board that organic fish need to be part of the solution for our oceans, not the problem.

Sign our petition to help uphold the fundamental principles of the organic label. Together, we can make sure the NOSB understands wild fish and net pens do not belong in a credible organic program.

We expect the organic label to mean the food we're buying is produced in a way that is better for the environment. But right now, the national board that advises the USDA on setting organic standards is proposing to certify aquaculture practices that are already harming our oceans.

The proposed standards allow wild fish to be used in 'organic' feed and net pens in the ocean to be used to grow 'organic' fish.

These proposed standards are no different than practices currently used by the salmon farming industry--practices that are causing the pollution of our marine ecosystems, the transfer of diseases and parasites to wild fish, and ecologically damaging escapes of farmed fish. The use of wild fish as feed runs the risk of undermining global marine and human food systems.

A vote is scheduled in Washington this month on what kind of fish farming practices can be labeled organic. Tell the National Organic Standards Board that organic fish need to be part of the solution for our oceans, not the problem.

Sign our petition to help uphold the fundamental principles of the organic label. Together, we can make sure the NOSB understands wild fish and net pens do not belong in a credible organic program.

Dear Ms. Valerie Frances, 

As a supporter of organic products, I am concerned about the proposal to include wild fish and net pens in US organic aquaculture standards. These are the same practices used by the conventional aquaculture industry. Scientific evidence and government data has already shown these aquaculture practices are resulting in the poor use of limited wild fish protein, the pollution of our marine ecosystems, the transfer of diseases and parasites lethal to wild fish, and ecologically damaging escapes.

I urge the NOSB to maintain the reliability and credibility of US organic standards, and to only allow types of aquaculture production that pose a low risk to our marine and freshwater ecosystems. 

Thank you for considering my input on this important matter. I sincerely hope to see the NOSB put forward aquaculture standards that maintain the integrity of the organic label.

Sincerely,