SILVER SPRING, Md. — While worldwide consumption and demand of seafood is increasing, stakeholders in the U.S. seafood industry are making efforts to support and advance sustainable seafood.

In “The U.S. Marketplace for Sustainable Seafood: Are We Hooked Yet?”, the Seafood Choices Alliance finds that all sectors of the U.S. seafood supply chain have included and recognize the need for sustainable seafood in their operations.

Although the U.S. seafood industry has been aware of sustainable seafood for a relatively short period of time, the report notes, the movement has gained traction throughout the entire seafood supply chain.

In a survey of chain restaurants, retailers, seafood wholesalers and seafood distributors, the Alliance found that all sectors include sustainable seafood in their offerings (though there seems to be no widely-accepted definition of what “sustainable” means) and expect to offer significantly more sustainable products within five years.

Seafood is an area where a large impact can be made. On average, seafood makes up almost one-third of chain restaurant menus, and most retailers expect sales to increase in the next five years. The report breaks down the U.S. seafood industry - the country is the second largest importer of seafood, behind Japan - looking at the demand for different types of products.

When restaurants were asked what environmental initiatives they're currently running, 59 percent said they support sustainable food and farming, the third most popular answer after recycling (79 percent) and using local food (69 percent).

Although the report found all sectors have taken action, it calls for a continuation of efforts as well as better understanding of what sustainable seafood is, so all stakeholders, from farmers to customers, understand the issue.