Kinds, A.

Mondelaers, K.

Polet, H.

Sys, K.

Open Marine Archive

 Arne Kinds1, Kim Sys1, Koen Mondelaers2, Hans Polet1 
 
1 Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Animal Sciences Unit, Fisheries and Aquatic Production, Ankerstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium 
2 Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Social Sciences Unit, Burg. van Gansberghelaan 115 bus 2, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium 
Introduction  
How sustainable is the fish on our plates? Where and how was it caught? How about the status of the stock in this area? Is the fishery associated with bycatch of 
vulnerable or protected species? The answer to these questions is not as straightforward as one might think. The eco-conscient consumer falls back on various 
seafood guides and eco-labels to make sustainable seafood choices. In practice, however, the usefulness of these seafood guides is limited due to insufficient 
information regarding catch area and fishing method on the product package. This shortage of information in fact characterizes the entire seafood supply chain, and 
forms the base of the VALDUVIS project (Valorization of Sustainably Caught Fish), which aims to score and visualize ecological, social and economic sustainability of 
fish landed in Belgian fishing ports (Zeebrugge, Oostende and Nieuwpoort). 
 
  
VALDUVIS: a fair price for sustainable fish 
 
       Key element in VALDUVIS  =  STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION 
   (fishermen, producer organizations, government, fish auctions, NGOs, etc.) 
 
Sc
ie
n
ce
 
St
ak
eh
o
ld
er
s 
Step 1: Gathering  information 
about the trip 
Information per individual fishing trip: 
Vessel, fishing area, fishing method, species 
 
Information derived from databases: 
Stock status, carbon emissions, bycatch and discards, impact 
of gear on marine habitats, etc. 
 
Step 2: Developing 
indicators for sustainability 
Step 3: Visualizing 
sustainability 
 Underlying goal: initiating a transition towards a sustainable Belgian fishing fleet by offering incentives to fish more sustainably 
Scientifically sound reference system that is supported by a wide range of stakeholders 
0
25
50
75
100
Stock status
Impact on marine
habitats
Bycatch
Season
Carbon efficiency
Indicator X
Indicator Y
Indicator Z
time 
A set of indicators describes fishing 
activity from an ecological, 
economic and social perspective 
February 2013 
Proposal for data gathering 
and transparency 
Feedback and approval 
December 2013 
Proposal for indicator 
system and reference points 
Feedback and approval Feedback and approval 
June 2014 
Proposal for visualization of 
sustainability scores in auction 
October 2014 
Implementation through 
pilot project 
In the auction hall and on a 
secured website  
This may result in improved market access and a better price for sustainably caught fish 


VALDUVIS: a fair price for sustainable fish

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