As per the press information the Argentine anchovy fishery is the first of its kind to get MSC label successfully. The location of the fishery is in the South West Atlantic. Products from the fishery will now be eligible to bear the blue MSC ecolabel. The fishery has two management units in Argentine Federal Waters, North (Bonaerense) and South (Patagonico) of 41°S. This certification covers the Bonaerense management unit only.
There are two companies holding the fishery: Delicias S.A. and Centauro S.A. The client companies have five high seas ice-chilling vessels and together in 2010 they landed approximately 10 to 15 percent of the catch of the Bonaerense anchovy stock. Last year the group caught approximately 2,000 metric tons of anchovies. The clients welcome inquiries from other eligible anchovy fishers in the area interested in sharing the MSC certificate.
Nearly 80 percent of the catch is exported in international markets such as Spain, Peru and Morocco. The rest is for internal Argentine markets. Products derived from the fishery include anchovy fillets in oil, vacuum-packed anchovy fillets, anchovies in brine, salt-cured anchovies, anchovy fillet marinated in vinegar and whole frozen anchovies. Carlos Rodriguez, speaking for the client group says it is good to become MSC certified and this will help boosting the product in the world market. He added that the fishery is indebted to the National Institute of Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) of Argentina for their valuable contribution to the achievement of this certification.
Kerry Coughlin, regional director for MSC Americas, said that Argentine and other Latin American fisheries are important components of the global fish trade. MSC certification of this anchovy fishery, and other fisheries engaged throughout Latin America, will help them in markets worldwide and serve as an example for others in the region of the benefits of certification for sustainable fishing.
