In an open letter to the Norwegian government, the fish feed sector has outlined its concerns about the situation facing the Northeast Atlantic blue whiting fishery, and the real threat this poses to the fish feed supply chain, and salmon production – as coastal states negotiators meet in Oslo.
Three giants of the fishfeed sector have pledged to cease buying products from blue whiting if the current Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) fails and no agreement is reached. Biomar, Cargill, and Skretting Norway are all members of the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA) board and account between them for a very substantial share of purchasing fishmeal production in the north Atlantic region.
NAPA is asking Norway to meet with fish feed producers and reflect seriously upon its own sustainability commitments.
Describing Norway as a ‘nation at the cutting-edge of fish aquaculture,’ NAPA points out that the Norwegian authorities are fully aware of the value and importance of blue whiting to the fishmeal industries and, as a result, to the secure supply of seafood across Europe and the world.
‘More than this, you are a nation with a track record of spear-heading ambitious action for the sustainable future of our oceans and ocean industries: to stay true to these ambitions, urgent measures to protect blue whiting stocks are needed,’ NAPA states in its letter to the Norwegian government.
Feed producers need to source fish meal and oil from certified fisheries or fisheries that are undertaking an FIP process. Such a requirement is now central to compliance in the two key certification schemes for the industry – the ASC Feed Standard and Global GAP Compound Feed manufacturing standard.
‘In 2021, NAPA launched a new class of FIP – designed to drive progress towards a political agreement for key pelagic stocks. As NAPA members, this means we can continue our sourcing of this vital stock at this time, as we continue to urge Coastal States to come to a sustainable, science-based sharing agreement for all pelagics,’ a NAPA reprersentative commented.
‘The blue whiting FIP is due to end in October: just a few short months away. With no resolution to the political deadlock around blue whiting management in sight, the future of the fish feed industry hangs in the balance in the waters off Norway’s coast. We understand the complexities of the situation. We know the challenge presented by the political deadlock. We believe that a nation like Norway, world-leading in salmon production and at the forefront of ocean advocacy globally, should be an ally – not a target – in our own advocacy efforts.’
