The Canadian shrimp fisheries have got MSC certification following an independent review against the MSC standard for sustainable, well-managed fisheries. The Canadian Association of Prawn Producers (CAPP) and Northern Coalition are the clients, and shrimp products from all 17 offshore shrimp license holders that comprise these two client groups are now eligible to bear the blue MSC ecolabel.
The press release states that the operation area of this fishery is within Canada’s North West Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone and three Units of Certification exist under this certificate—one for northern shrimp harvested in Shrimp Fishing Areas (SFA) 2-6, one for northern shrimp harvested in SFA 7, and one for striped shrimp harvested in SFAs 2-4.
Throughout the year the offshore shrimp fishery operates with seasonal movements in different areas dictated by ice conditions. The main market of this fishery are sold frozen-at sea, raw and cooked shell-on, and are marketed primarily in Russia, Ukraine, China, Japan and Western Europe. Bruce Chapman, executive director of CAPP, said that the Canadian offshore shrimp industry is pleased to have our fisheries independently certified as sustainable and well-managed.
Kerry Coughlin, regional director for MSC Americas, said that MSC congratulates The Canadian Association of Prawn Producers and Northern Coalition on this milestone. He added that MSC-certified shrimp is in demand in many markets around the world and this additional supply will be welcome by fish buyers and consumers alike.
