The Norwegian fleet’s fishery for beaked redfish (Sebastes mentella) and Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) has been certified to the MSC standard for sustainable fishing.
Both fisheries were independently certified by a third-party auditor which assessed the fishery against MSC’s rigorous criteria related to stock health, protection of the environment, and ensuring effective management is in place.
According to the MSC, the Greenland halibut and redfish fisheries operate within a well-established and effective legislative and management framework, with extensive consultation mechanisms and a comprehensive enforcement system. The outcome of these measures can be seen in a relatively good stock status for both species.
‘Norway has a long tradition of sustainable fishery management, and we are satisfied to be able to document this through the MSC standard for these fisheries as well,’ said Tor Bjørklund Larsen, Senior Advisor at the fishery client Norges Fiskarlag, who is working on the certification on behalf of the Norwegian fishing industry.
‘It is increasingly important that we can demonstrate sustainability and traceability in our fisheries management for markets around the world. It is therefore important that redfish and Greenland halibut also now receive this certification.’
Around 33,000 tonnes of MSC certified redfish and around 14,000 tonnes of MSC certified Greenland halibut will now be available to domestic and export markets. Most of the exports of these species from Norway currently find their way to Asian markets, but also central European markets buy and consume a considerable amount from these fisheries.
‘These fisheries have demonstrated it complies with the rigorous MSC Fisheries Standard and offers excellent products to the market,’ said MSC North Atlantic programme director Gísli Gíslason.
‘Norges Fiskarlag has been adamant in driving this progress on behalf of the Norwegian industry, to meet market expectations.’
