Our tiny population of 5.5 million devours more than 140 million kilogrammes of seafood a year. Couple this with the fact that 87% of the world’s oceans are overfished, and that fish stocks will run out by 2048 if we keep eating the way we do, the numbers game becomes very real (and alarming).
So we caught up with Elaine Tan, the CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Singapore, to find out more about Singapore’s inaugural Sustainable Seafood Festival (SSF).
How did the idea for SSF come about and how long has this been in the planning?
WWF-Singapore has been working on the issue of sustainable seafood over the last three years. It started with the production of the WWF Singapore Seafood Guide, which helps consumers in making informed choices on 46 of the most commonly consumed seafood in Singapore. We’ve since started the WWF Sustainable Seafood Group, a business initiative to assist companies committed to sustainable seafood sourcing.
With good momentum gained in both the consumer and business end, we felt that a food festival (something that excites Singaporeans!) would be the perfect opportunity to transform the market and unite both businesses and consumers.
What are you most excited about for Singapore’s first SSF, and what do you hope visitors take away from this fresh new initiative?
I’m really excited about the positive response from the players in the seafood industry, big or small. These businesses are stepping up to make an investment in their future and the ocean’s future. With over 30 establishments across the island participating in the Festival, it’s now easier for consumers to pick the right catch.
Through SSF, we hope to demonstrate to consumers the accessibility of sustainable seafood in Singapore, how to identify these seafood by looking out for the ecolabel or referring to the WWF Singapore Seafood Guide, and be inspired to start picking the right catch for the future of our oceans. Ultimately, the only way we can create a sustainable future is if all of us do our part to move the supply chain towards sustainable sources.
In your opinion, why is sustainability in our food practices such a critical and urgent concern?
We depend completely on the planet’s natural resources, but the planet can only supply to the extent that humans will protect, conserve, and ensure its sustainability. At this moment, we are taking far more fish out of the ocean than can be replaced. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, 90% of the oceans are fully or over exploited and unless the current situation improves, it’s estimated that the fish stocks will collapse by the year 2048.
Collapsing fish stocks will not only be an environmental catastrophe, but also a huge economic and social disaster. The global seafood industry is worth billions of dollars and supports the livelihoods of millions of people. We need to act now to ensure that the world’s increasing population can continue to benefit from the ocean’s resources.
Why should Singapore as a nation, and a community, lead the way on this issue?
The nation consumes 140 million kg of seafood a year. With 90% of this seafood imported, our footprint on the world’s oceans is one of the largest in the Asia Pacific region.
Since Singapore creates one of the highest demands on fish stocks, changes in our seafood consumption habits will also have far-reaching effects on our seafood suppliers, namely fisheries in the Coral Triangle (a marine area located in the western Pacific Ocean).
The SSF is targeting consumers, because they’re actually very powerful. When there is a strong consumer demand for sustainable seafood products, suppliers, restaurants and retailers will also be more motivated to relook at their procurement policies.
You have an immense wealth of experience in the NGO space, having held positions in the Singapore Breast Cancer Foundation and World Vision Singapore. What’s the biggest driving force that has kept you motivated?
World Vision Singapore marked my first foray into the NGO space. Shortly after I joined, the 2004 tsunami disaster took place, and it was simply inspiring to work with our partner offices around the world to save lives and bring relief to families. I was also amazed by how generous Singapore was, with all the donations and help that just kept pouring in. It was then that I fully realised how fulfilling it is to work in the NGO sector with like-minded people who share my beliefs and motivations about doing good for the broader community.
What else is on the WWF Singapore agenda right now?
We are working on a new haze campaign which focuses on pulp, paper and palm oil issues with a strategy that engages both businesses and consumers. We’re also expanding our illegal wildlife trade campaign to increase awareness about Singapore’s role in the illicit trade of wild animals and their products.
SSF runs from 8-15 June 2014 in Singapore. To learn more about it, head over to their website, Pick The Right Catch.