Morgan Hill, CA, March 8, 2010 – Lusamerica Foods, Inc., a progressive and fast growing seafood distributor in the greater San Francisco Bay area, has partnered with FishWise, a non-profit organization focused on improving the sustainability and financial performance of seafood retailers, distributors, and producers.  The partnership aims to increase the availability of sustainable seafood in the supply chain through short- and long-term commitments by Lusamerica, and accountability measures for ensuring action on these commitments.

FishWise and Lusamerica define sustainable seafood as seafood that is from sources, whether fished or farmed, that can maintain or increase production into the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems.

Lusamerica is family owned and operated and has been serving its customers in the Western US for over thirty years.  By partnering with FishWise, Lusamerica is strengthening both its longstanding commitment to offering sustainable, local, traceable products, and its work with vendor, customer, and environmental partners to affect positive change in the seafood industry.  These efforts go beyond fishery or farm attributes to working to reduce the waste and carbon footprint of Lusamerica’s operations.

FishWise conducted an initial assessment of Lusamerica’s product list which resulted in both short- and long-term recommendations for improving the sustainability of Lusamerica’s products.  As a result, Lusamerica has discontinued the sale of shark and non-MSC certified Chilean seabass, and has begun developing an education and outreach program to bring employees and customers up-to-date on sustainability issues.  In the longer term, FishWise is assisting Lusamerica with high-volume species of concern by identifying alternative sources and working with existing suppliers on developing and implementing credible improvement plans.

“With FishWise as an advisor on initiatives, and a resource to verify information, we gain vital 3^rd party support that ensures our credibility as a responsible seafood business. Also, more and more of our customers, like Safeway, demand sustainability information, so these efforts strengthen our accounts. Ultimately, by working together, we help ensure that our business and our oceans are healthy for generations to come,” said John Silva, Lusamerica’s General Manager.

Click here to download the press release.

Aquaseed Corporation, the parent company of SweetSpring Salmon have been formally recognized as "SuperGreen" by the Washington State Senate. SweetSpring are leading the field in sustainable salmon farming by raising freshwater coho salmon in a closed containment system. This unique system protects wild stocks, fosters high omega-3 levels, and virtually eliminates harmful contaminants, thereby producing a healthy, safe and sustainable source of salmon.

The Senate acknowledges AquaSeed's invaluable contribution to environmentally sustainable salmon production, salmon conservation, and rural Washington employment opportunities. You can download the official resolution here.