Bristol Zoo promotes sustainable seafood choices – and leads by example
26 October 2009
Bristol Zoo Gardens are launching new displays in the Bristol Zoo aquarium to alert visitors to the link between seafood choices and marine conservation. The project aims to promote greater awareness among Bristol Zoo visitors of the sustainability challenges facing the world’s oceans and of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as a viable means of helping to solve these issues. The project was made possible thanks to funding from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd Ocean Fund and the Bristol-based Project AWARE Foundation.
New displays
The new displays include a model pelagic trawler and net floating on the aquarium ceiling, as well as an interactive children’s area with giant models, marine related puzzles, aquatic puppets, a mural and sea chests. There is also a freezer cabinet display filled with MSC–labelled products and take-home leaflets.
Toby Middleton, UK Country Manager says: “I am delighted at the lengths that Bristol Zoo are going to in order to support sustainable seafood. In the aquarium visitors can learn about the marine environment and related conservation issues. MSC-certified and labelled seafood makes it easy for consumers to exercise their power and make a sustainable choice that allows them to recognise and reward sustainable fishing practices. And visitors can start doing so right then and there by ordering MSC labelled sustainable seafood in the zoo’s Coral Café.”
A whole zoo approach
The project goes beyond displays. Compass-owned Milburn’s, the on-site caterer for Bristol Zoo has achieved MSC Chain of Custody certification. This makes it the first visitor attraction in the UK to serve MSC-certified sustainable seafood. In a ‘whole-zoo approach’ to their fish sourcing, the Zoo’s seal food is also MSC-certified. Furthermore, Bristol Zoo has also incorporated information about sustainable fish choices in their education sessions at the on-site education centre.
Quotes
Jo Gipps, Director of Bristol Zoo comments: “We are committed to measuring and reducing our environmental impact, as well as encouraging our visitors to do so. We are very pleased, therefore, to have all the strands coming together for our impact on the marine environment: visitor interpretation, visitor catering and seal catering”.
“Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s Ocean Fund is proud to support the MSC holistic education programme at Bristol Zoo, educating visitors about the impact their choices can have on marine conservation,” said Jamie Sweeting, Vice President of Environmental Stewardship and Global Chief Environmental Officer. “The protection of our seas and their inhabitants is vital for future generations.”
Suzanne Pleydell, Director Project AWARE Foundation International adds: "We applaud the efforts of Bristol Zoo for both their own responsible operations and alerting visitors to the importance of making responsible seafood choices. It is incumbent upon us all to adjust our buying patterns to ensure our seas remain healthy and vibrant for future generations."
About Bristol Zoo Gardens
Bristol Zoo Gardens is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day.
- The Zoo is an Education and Conservation Charity and relies on the income from visitors to support its work.
- The Zoo is involved with over one hundred co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species.
It employs 140 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work. - Bristol Zoo Gardens supports – through finance and skill sharing - over 10 projects in the UK and abroad that conserve and protect some of the world’s most endangered species.
- Bristol Zoo Gardens is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.
For more information, please visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk or phone 0117 974 7300.
About Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France. The company has a combined total of 38 ships in service and five under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.co.uk, www.celebritycruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, www.azamaracruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com or www.rclinvestor.com.
About Project AWARE Foundation
Project AWARE Foundation is a non profit organisation working with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Project AWARE Foundation offices located in the Australia, United States, Japan, the United Kingdom and Switzerland combine efforts to conserve aquatic resources in 175 countries of the world. Project AWARE Foundation (International) located in Bristol was established as a charity in 1999 specifically to offer regional assistance in the UK, Eire, Middle East, Africa, Russia, Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and the Nordic Regions. Through its Grant Programme, Project AWARE has distributed over $3 million to worthwhile aquatic projects including public education, grass roots conservation, scientific research, public awareness initiatives and volunteer-supported community activism. Among many other campaigns, Project AWARE Foundation's Sustainable Fisheries public awareness campaign aims to educate public audiences about the urgent call for improved fisheries management and conservation. For more information, please visit www.projectaware.org
Further information and pictures
Lucy Parkinson, Bristol Zoo Press Office: +44 117 974 7306, lparkinson@bristolzoo.org.uk
For any media inquiries please contact media@msc.org.
