Australian king prawn fishery would be the first MSC certified prawn fishery and entered full assessment against the MSC standard. After successful completion of the assessment Australian prawns bearing the MSC ecolabel will, for the first time, be available to consumers in markets across the globe.
The information revealed that the assessment will cover the 37 member vessels of the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA) that are licensed to fish for king prawns (Penaeus (Melicertus) latisulcatus) in the South Australia waters of the Spencer Gulf.
WWF is actively supporting the certification of the fishery by acting as a co-client with the SGWCPFA. WWF-Australia’s Peter Trott praised the leadership shown by the fishery in seeking independent certification of its sustainability. According to him the MSC assessment will also allow the industry to continue to improve its environmental credentials.
Meredith Lopuch, director of the Fisheries Programme’s Major Buyers Initiative at WWF-US, told that the Spencer Gulf prawn fishery is extremely well managed. The Spencer Gulf prawn trawl fishery came into operation in 1967 and became a restricted access fishery in 1968. In association with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Aquatic Sciences division, the fishery has developed a precautionary management plan that includes limiting the annual catch to around 2,000 tonnes.
