seasourced

Seasourced is a term used in the seafood industry to describe products, brands, or supply chains that emphasize direct or near-direct sourcing from marine harvesters and explicit traceability from catch to consumer. It is associated with efforts to connect consumers more closely with the people who catch seafood and with practices intended to ensure sustainability, quality, and reduced waste.

Sourcing principles typically include direct partnerships with fishing communities or cooperatives, transparent documentation of where and how fish are caught, species and gear verification, and adherence to sustainable quotas. Seasourced programs may favor small-scale fisheries, low-impact gear, and bycatch reduction, along with third-party certifications or independent audits to verify claims.

Implementation often relies on digital tools that record the chain of custody, such as harvest data, transport, processing, and packaging steps, accessible to buyers and sometimes to consumers via labeling or QR codes. Packaging may highlight origin, harvest method, and sustainability credentials.

Market adoption has grown alongside consumer interest in provenance and freshness. Critics point to higher costs, complexity of verification, and potential greenwashing if standards are not consistently applied.

In sum, seasourced describes a movement toward transparent, ethically sourced seafood that seeks to align environmental stewardship with reliable supply and consumer trust.