The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has been in touch with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) earlier this week informing us that they are currently reviewing their status as the client for the MSC-certified Alaskan salmon fishery and seeking advice as they explore finding a new industry client to take on this role.
A change of clients is permitted under the MSC programme and is not unprecedented. It is also important to note that a change of client does not affect the value and credibility of a fisheries’ certificate as a globally recognised third-party verification of sustainability. The Alaskan salmon fishery was recertified in November 2007 and the current certificate is valid until 2012.
As ADF&G have stated, in taking this action they recognise that as a fisheries management agency and State Government Department, their position as a client for an MSC certification is unusual. More typically fisheries clients are groups of fishers and their associations or seafood industry and commercial entities, who are better placed to directly benefit from all the advantages third party certification can bring.
The MSC is in close contact with ADF&G and the Alaskan seafood industry and looks forward to working with the department to facilitate the transition to a new client as smoothly as possible. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank ADF&G for their leadership in acting as the client for the first Alaskan fishery to enter into assessment under the MSC programme and for continuing in this role for 9 years. There are now 8 Alaskan fisheries represented by a range of clients, either certified or in assessment under the MSC programme representing over 2.5 million tonnes of landed seafood. MSC certified Alaskan salmon enjoys considerable success in a rapidly increasing number of markets around the world and we look forward in working with the new client to facilitate that growth.
