Fisheries committed to demonstrating their sustainability through the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) independent certification programme welcomed their 100th member last week. These fisheries – both certified and in assessment – include a diverse and geographically widespread range of fisheries, from small community-based fisheries in Africa, Asia and Europe to some of the world’s largest fisheries in North America, Europe and New Zealand. From Alaska salmon to Kyoto snow crab, North East Arctic saithe to Antarctic South Georgia icefish, MSC-engaged fisheries represent a wide variety of species and over 5 million tonnes of seafood caught every year.
Each of these fisheries is committed to ensuring the overall health and sustainability of the fish stocks they harvest. Collectively, their commitment translates into contributing to global food security and safeguarding the livelihoods of the millions of men and women around the world who work in the global seafood industry.
As the latest fishery to enter the programme, the Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery joins 74 other fisheries currently in assessment and 25 fisheries already certified, for a milestone total of 100 fisheries engaged in the programme.
Rupert Howes, chief executive of the Marine Stewardship Council, said: “MSC would like to thank all 100 fisheries for their commitment and investment to get independent, third party certification to the MSC standard. This is a fantastic milestone for both the MSC and each one of these individual fisheries. The global seafood market is changing forever and these fisheries will be the best placed to meet the expectations of both seafood buyers and end consumers around the world who are increasingly looking for the ‘best environmental choice.’ We look forward to celebrating the 101st fishery and many more future partners over the coming months and years.”
Jon Williams, president of the New England Red Crab Harvesters’ Association says: “We’re honoured to be the 100th fishery, and applaud the leadership of our 99 predecessors. MSC certification is increasingly important to compete in the global marketplace. It is also vital to keeping our fishery at the forefront of sustainable resource management ensuring that it will continue to thrive.”
The first fishery to enter assessment under the MSC programme was Alaska salmon in 1999. It was certified in September of 2000, six months after the first fisheries to achieve certification were announced – Australian rock lobster and Thames herring. There are now close to 1,500 MSC-labelled product lines in 36 different countries.
A message celebrating and listing all 100 fisheries can be found on the MSC’s website at http://www.msc.org/html/content_1492.htm
