Half of Russian fisheries can grow MSC-certified by 2013

Half of all Russian commercial fisheries could be declared sustainable and MSC-certified by the year 2013, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/.

Nowadays the MSC evaluation process covers several fisheries, including Russian pollock fishery in the Sea of Okhotsk and in the Bering Sea. If those two fisheries get MSC certificate, approximately one half of the Russian fish harvest (dominated by pollock, cod and salmon) will be declared sustainable and therefore grow more competitive on the world market which has been increasingly turning towards eco products.

According to Vassily Spiridonov representing the Marine Stewardship Council, one Russian company is awaiting successful evaluation of Russian pollock fishery compliance with MSC standards. Another fishery being evaluated now is salmon fishery in Sakhalin, the process initiated by south and east Sakhalin companies which united their efforts towards MSC certification. Besides, Kamchatka companies have also applied for MSC certification of their salmon fishery.

MSC approval can be also given to cod and haddock fisheries in the Russian waters of the Barents Sea, the fisheries are actually certified at ca.30% now, Spiridonov says.

At present, Russia has just two sustainable and certified fisheries. Sakhalin's biggest fishing combine Gidrostroy JSC became Russia's pioneer in getting MSC certification for its salmon fishery in the waters of Iturup Island. Later on, in 2010 namely, the Council certified approximately one third of cod and haddock fishery in the Russian waters of the Barents Sea.