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Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Certification

All sources of wild-caught seafood face the challenge to verify sustainable practices, supply integrity and traceability. RFM Certification through NSF meets this demand.

NSF Fulfills RFM Standards for Wild-Caught Seafood

All wild-caught seafood sources – from fishing vessels and processors to distributors, retailers and restaurants – face a market challenge to demonstrate that products are sustainably sourced from responsibly managed fisheries that conserve fish stocks and ecosystems. They also want to fulfill chain-of-custody standards for species integrity and quality. Through NSF, Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Certification offers two recognized standards:

  • A sustainable fisheries standard
  • A chain-of-custody (CoC) standard that traces seafood integrity (DNA tested) through the entire supply chain

Certification for Every Critical Seafood Organization

RFM Certification helps buyers and consumers to identify sustainable seafood producers by means of a free consumer-facing logo license:

  • Fisheries
  • Fishing vessels, handlers, processors and packers (including canners)
  • Wholesalers, distributors, retailers and food-service operators

RFM Benchmarks, Accreditation and Practices

RFM’s standards adhere to the following criteria:

  • The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) and its Global Benchmarking Tool for seafood certification programs
  • A model based directly on UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) criteria
  • International accreditation under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 17065) code)

RFM is known for the following practices:

  • Engagement and collaboration with ecosystem stakeholders, the seafood industry and affected geographic locations
  • Inclusion of the following species: Alaska salmon, pollock, cod, black cod/sablefish, flatfish, rockfish, halibut, crab and Atka mackerel
  • Transparent assessment and impartial appeals

Your next step?

Contact NSF to navigate your compliance challenges.

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