The rise of the conscious consumer

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    Shoppers “voting with their forks” for healthy oceans

    Concerns for our ocean are driving a new wave of consumer activism, new research from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) reveals. American shoppers are increasingly ‘voting with their forks’ for sustainable seafood.

    The study was conducted in early 2020 by GlobeScan, an independent research and strategy consultancy. It is one of the largest global surveys of seafood consumers, involving more than 20,000 people across 23 countries. In the US and Canada, more than 5,700 people were surveyed.

    Understanding consumers and their values lays an important foundation for the sustainable seafood movement. Reach out to your local MSC representative to find out how your company can join the movement.  

    58%

    of North American seafood consumers agreed that in order to protect the ocean, we have to consume fish and shellfish only from sustainable sources.

    66%

    of U.S. and Canadian shoppers believe retailers’ and brands’ claims about sustainability and the environment need to be clearly labeled by an independent organization.

    48%

    of North American shoppers are willing to pay more for seafood from a certified sustainable fishery.

    Additional insight into North American’s perceptions of sustainability, ocean issues, and seafood purchase motivators

    Watch the North American edition of The Rise of the Conscious Consumer Webinar 2020 below and download the slide deck for future reference.
    Watch video

    The Rise of the Conscious Consumer Webinar 2020 - North America

    1:04:01

    View a downloadable/printable infographic with key survey results.

    Downloadable Consumer Insights

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    Watch video

    Quick facts

    • North Americans are increasingly concerned about our ocean and the impact of pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
    • Ocean health and the decline of fish populations is ranked as North American consumers' third-highest environmental concern.
    • The top action seafood consumers are willing to take to help the ocean is switching to a different brand or product.
    • Choosing sustainably sourced seafood has risen in importance as a purchase motivator to seafood shoppers since 2018.
    • MSC awareness continues to grow among North American seafood consumers. Recognition is particularly high among the conscious consumer (46%) and younger consumers aged 18-34 (49%).
    • The survey revealed that younger generations and parents are most likely to have taken action in the past year to protect seafood for the future.
    • Nearly half of MSC-aware consumers would recommend MCS certified products to people they know.

    For more resources to promote your commitment to sustainable seafood, you can:

    Looking to get your business certified? Connect with our team:

    More about the MSC

    school of fish swimming through big blue ocean

    How we meet best practice

    It’s vital that everyone, from fishers to retailers, scientists to consumers, has confidence in the blue MSC label.

    Find out more
    Close-up of frozen prawn, pollock and lobster products with the blue MSC label

    Use the MSC blue fish label

    Show your customers your seafood comes from a sustainable source by using the MSC blue fish label. Find out how to show your commitment to certified sustainable seafood.

    Find out more
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    The MSC and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

    Data from the MSC is used by the UN Environment Programme to track progress towards international goals to end overfishing and protect biodiversity.

    Find out more

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