In Boston Russia's Alaska Pollock Association turns spotlight on sustainable fisheries and markets diversification

Vladivostok-based Alaska Pollock Association took active part in Boston show on 11-13 March 2012. Instead of exhibiting product samples at the show the Association turned spotlight on sustainable fisheries and markets diversification, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/.

At present the Association is in the process of pollock fishery certification in the Sea of Okhotsk and in the Bering Sea for compliance with the international ecological standards. In case of success the Russian pollock fishery will be acknowledged sustainable and products made by the Association's member companies will be purchased by transnational retail chains and fast food chains.

During the show representatives of the Association met with international consultants who are getting ready the Association's application for pollock fishery certification, as well as with reputable ecological organizations and Europe's biggest fish processors. The Association's CEO Alexey Burlak told the latter on prospects for the fishery's certification and discussed issues connected with longterm contracts for shipments of pollock fillets to Europe.

In the course of the meetings European buyers received detailed information on the current condition of the Russian pollock fishery and confirmed their willingness to sign the longterm contracts for shipments of Russian pollock fillets to Europe. Lasting international contracts actually enable producers to boost output of pollock fillets. In particular, in 2011 Russian production of fillets rose by 22% and in 2012 such trend is supposed to persist.

Along with the above, the Association's President Mr. German Zverev has underlined that the Association continues work aimed at diversification of the markets and decrease of companies' dependence on the single buyer - China.