November 2, 2005

MORE VANCOUVER RESTAURANTS GO ‘OCEAN WISE’

Vancouver Aquarium’s sustainable seafood program expands to include 28 restaurants

Vancouver - Ocean Wise, the Vancouver Aquarium’s sustainable seafood program, has nearly doubled the number of participating restaurants in just six months.

Today, Aquarium president Dr. John Nightingale welcomed 13 new restaurants to the Ocean Wise program, which now includes 28 restaurants in British Columbia.

The Ocean Wise program pairs the Vancouver Aquarium’s marine conservation expertise with restaurants and chefs keen to include sustainable seafood options on their menus. Following a menu assessment, restaurants can join the initial phase of the program by removing one unsustainable item from their menu and highlighting at least one sustainable seafood item with an Ocean Wise logo.

Sustainable seafood choices are those species that are abundant and resilient to fishing pressures, well managed with a comprehensive management plan, and harvested using a method that ensures limited bycatch and minimal habitat destruction.

“This program, and programs like it around the world, are integral to the future of our oceans,” said Dr. John Nightingale, President of the Vancouver Aquarium. “For the increasing number of consumers who are concerned about the environmental impact of the food choices they make, the Ocean Wise logo gives them the assurance that an item has been recommended by one of the world’s leading public conservation programming institutions.”

Through information sessions led by conservation department staff at the Vancouver Aquarium, the Ocean Wise program is also educating restaurant employees about sustainable seafood choices.

The new Ocean Wise restaurants are Aurora Bistro, Cactus Club, The Fish House in Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain’s Altitude and Observatory restaurants, Joe Fortes, Le Gavroche, Nu, Pearl on the Rocks, Provence Marinaside, Restaurant 62, Vij's, and Wild Rice.

For more information, visit www.oceanwisecanada.org

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