Holland America Line has been certified for Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) — making it the first and only cruise line to achieve this distinguished credential by serving only fresh, certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaskan seafood. All six of the cruise line's ships sailing to Alaska have been certified by RFM after an independent audit.
"Holland America Line has been sharing Alaskan adventures with our guests for 75 years, and supporting sustainable fishing and local business is an important commitment for us," said Gus Antorcha, President of Holland America Line. "We have made a commitment to purchase and serve only local, sustainable, fresh seafood on Alaska cruises, and RFM certification is a key step in the commitment to sustainability we share with our guests and Alaskan fishing families."
RFM is a third-party certification program for wild fisheries and is aligned with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the most comprehensive set of international standards and best practices for wild fisheries. The RFM eco-label includes the provenance of seafood products and tells consumers where their food comes from every step of the way—from the Alaskan fishermen and processors to the reception of the product on the cruise line and to the guest's plate.
Use of the RFM logo signifies a firm commitment to a distinctive chain of custody program that assures customers and guests that their seafood is legally harvested, sourced from responsibly managed certified sustainable fisheries and can be traced back to its origin.
"We applaud Holland America Line's long-standing commitment to sustainable seafood and its hard work to become the first cruise line to offer RFM-certified Alaska seafood," said Tommy Marsh, Alaska Seafood Harvester and CSC RFM Board Member. "Fishing in Alaska is highly valued as an integral part of the culture of coastal communities. Therefore, the fishery is carefully managed, including input from local people, with a priority for sustainability in an ever-changing ocean to ensure that this fishery is available for generations to come. Holland America Line's support for RFM not only highlights its commitment to sustainability, but also its commitment to promoting local values."
The announcement of the RFM certification comes on the heels of Holland America Line's newly formed partnership with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), both of which share a commitment to serving sustainably sourced Alaskan seafood. Holland America Line continues to encourage environmental stewardship and work in partnership with people and organizations in the areas it visits.
Serving Alaskan seafood aboard Holland America Line ships has long been part of the brand's immersive culinary experience. On any given Alaska cruise, the line serves more than 2,000 pounds of Alaskan salmon, 1,000 pounds of Alaskan cod, 800 pounds of Alaskan halibut, 500 pounds of Alaskan rockfish and more.
In addition, Holland America Line has introduced several newly created seafood dishes featured in the Dining Room on all six of its ships cruising Alaska this season, which include Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam. The recipes were developed by Holland America.
