Fishery certification update: July 2011
A run of recent certifications show how two Baltic fisheries turned their futures around, an Alaskan native peoples' fishery achieved certification, and a landmark announcement in Iceland, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to Marine Stewardship Council.
Good news from diverse fisheries
A huge step forward came in June with the historic certification of the Icelandic exporting company Sæmark's cod and haddock fisheries. For the first time, fish caught in Iceland - one of the world's greatest fishing nations - will be able to carry the internationally recognised, blue MSC ecolabel.
An exciting addition to the list of MSC certified fisheries is the Annette Islands Reserve salmon fishery. This is a community-owned fishery operating in the tribal waters of the Metlakatla Indian Community in southeast Alaska. The reserve was granted to a group of Tsimshian Indians originally from Metlakatla, British Columbia by the US Congress in 1891.
In the eastern Baltic Sea, two fisheries have become certified following the recovery of cod stocks which were close to collapse a few years ago. With the active support of processing company Espersen, the DFPO Denmark Eastern Baltic cod fishery was certified. In the same waters, the Fiskbranschens Sweden Eastern Baltic cod fishery was also certified. Both fisheries have demonstrated how good management practices can regain economic security for fisheries.
Certified shrimp fisheries
Shrimp from the Canadian offshore northern shrimp and striped shrimp fishery are now eligible to carry the MSC ecolabel. Congratulations also to the Scotian shelf shrimp fishery, which now exports MSC labelled products to the UK, northern Europe and North America. These two fisheries bring the number of MSC certified fisheries in Canada to 14.
More tuna, lobster, scallops certified
An example of international co-operation in joint fisheries management can be found at the Anglo-French Normandy and Jersey lobster fishery, which also earned MSC certification in June. Tuna features on most seafood lovers' plates, so it's good news that the New Zealand albacore tuna fishery, managed by the Tuna Management Association, has been awarded MSC certification, recognising the responsible fishing practices employed by the fleet.
And for those who love scallops, consumers can now purchase sustainably managed Isle of Man Manx Queenies following the certification of the fishery that produces them. So, there was even more to celebrate at the three-day Queenie Festival in early July 2011.
Denmark moves 3 steps closer to national target
Three more fisheries operated by the Danish Fishermen's Producers Organisation (DFPO) have been recently certified as meeting the MSC standard. The certifications form part of the Danish Fishermen's Association's plans to have all Danish fisheries certified as sustainable under the MSC program before the end of 2012.The three fisheries include two fishing for plaice in the North Sea - the DFPO North Sea Plaice fishery and the DFPO Otter Trawl North Sea Plaice trawl fishery - plus the DFPO Denmark Eastern Baltic cod fishery (above).
Recertifications around the globe
Three fisheries were recertified in recent months. In the Southern hemisphere, Heard Island and McDonald Island mackerel icefish fishery was the first finfish species in Australia to be certified as sustainable by the MSC. Five years on it has demonstrated that its good management practices continue.
In the North, the Pelagic Freezer-Trawler Association (PFA) North Sea herring fishery has also been recertifed, the first large European fishery to engage with the MSC program.
And, on the Tropic of Cancer in Mexico, the Baja California red rock lobster fishery received MSC recertification. As part of the recertification the area covered by the certificate was extended. This was the first Latin American and first community-based, developing world artisanal fishery certified to the MSC standard.