The British Columbia government backs recognition effort saying that it will spend $100,000 to help the province’s commercial fisheries become eco-certified. The certification will be handed down by the London-based Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which is akin to labelling produce organic, told MSC regional director Brad Ack. He added that the certification requires a series of standards on how the product was produced.
According to Ack these standards are based on three criteria — the health of the stock, ensuring it isn’t over-fished, and the impact of the fishing on the ecosystem and the overall management of the fishery. He said that it is a lot more comprehensive than the dolphin-safe standard” that is on some cans of tuna. Ack told that the B.C. government has chosen to take this step forward to ensure the sustainability of its fishery against the MSC standard and hopefully contribute to a world-wide market that demands sustainable seafood.
The BC Seafood Alliance, an association of fishing organizations in the province, will be managing the process of obtaining the certification. The alliance’s executive director, Christina Burridge, opined that the commercial fishery is very pleased with this support from the provincial government. She admits that MSC certification will encourage British Columbians to consume our local seafood with confidence, and support with pride our fishermen to export our products around the world.
B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner expressed that the funding was to encourage the fisheries to move toward certification because they need every advantage they can get. He added that MSC seal gives their products an extra edge over the competition.
