CLIMATE RESILIENCE
FISH, CHIPS AND SUSTAINABILITY TIPS
KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
Codfathers Seafood Market in Kelowna, British Columbia, is showing how tourism businesses can come together to transform our habits and teach us how to have a more harmonious relationship with nature.
What's
changing
Sustainability-oriented programs and partnerships are helping companies to quickly adopt green practices and keep themselves accountable.
What's already
possible
In the Biosphere gold certified Thompson Okanagan region, Codfathers Seafood and other businesses are committing to operating more sustainably.
Seizing
the opportunity
Regional businesses can seek support through the “Biosphere Commitment Program” to implement sustainability plans that are aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development goals. Despite being more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) inland, sustainable fishing has always been important to Codfathers. It supports slow fish and community seafood and prides itself on not wasting a single part of the fish. Offcuts become fishsticks, bones are sold to chefs at a discounted price for stock, cheeks and tongues of large fish are sold separately and less popular parts of tuna turned into sausages. The business teaches fishers how to use the entirety, not just the wings, of a common bycatch fish called skate. Since joining the “Biosphere Commitment Program,” Codfathers is working to further reduce packaging, upgrading its delivery fleet, and giving staff a board to post ideas about how to make the organization more sustainable.
Standout
tactic
Codfathers has created a fish box program that often includes lesser-known fish and cooking tips. The box program helps to prevent less popular but equally delicious food from going to waste.
How
it helps
By participating in the “Biosphere Commitment Program,” Codfathers has improved communication with customers about sustainability and explained how they can advocate for new industry standards. The program has also fostered new partnerships that amplify sustainability messages and positively influence other seafood partners and fishers.
Diving
deeper
How can fish markets away from coastal areas encourage patrons to select fish from nearby rivers and lakes to shrink their carbon footprints by reducing the need for long-haul transportation?
Increasing
impact
The Biosphere program could be supplemented by forming strategic partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organizations and private-sector leaders to secure funding, policy support and technical assistance.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
