Canadians deserve to know where their seafood comes from

Wouldn't it be nice to know where your seafood came from? Or how your fish was caught or farmed? Unfortunately, this information is largely unavailable in Canada. Worse, recent studies show that a quarter of all seafood is actually mislabeled. You may think you're buying eco-friendly, but actually you're eating an endangered species. Mislabeling makes it really difficult to stop illegal fishing practices.

All kinds of food from oatmeal to orange juice are required by law to show nutritional and ingredient labels. Why not our seafood so Canadians can make ocean-friendly choices?

Send an email to Prime Minister Harper asking that Canada create national seafood labelling requirements. The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agriood Canada, will be cc'd.

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Dear Prime Minister Harper,

Our oceans face many threats and as a consumer I believe that I can make a difference by purchasing sustainable seafood. Unfortunately, this is difficult due to the lack of information provided on seafood purchased in Canada.

I am writing to ask that you implement national seafood labelling requirements for all seafood products sold in Canada. Similar laws are already in place in the U.S. Seafood products should be labelled with information on:

1. Common and scientific name
2. Mandatory country of origin
3. Ocean region
4. Farmed or wild caught
5. Catch or farming method
6. Additives (if applicable)

Having this information would allow me to purchase healthier, more sustainable seafood. I want to be a responsible consumer by supporting healthier oceans. Better labelling would also help me feel more confident about food safety in Canada.

I also urge your government to enact and enforce laws that preserve our ocean heritage through fisheries management, marine protected areas and controls on destructive industrial activities.

Yours truly,