French toothfish fisheries from Reunion Island embark on the MSC journey
French toothfish fishers, under the auspices of the Reunion Freezer Longliner Shipowners Association (SARPC for its French acronym) have applied for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment to demonstrate the sustainability of their fishing practices. The SARPC was formed by six fishing companies which have authorization and licenses to capture toothfish in the French Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of the Kerguelen plateau and the area around Crozet Island. Each of these areas has their own annual quota. The fishing companies operate seven long line vessels from the French Réunion Island. This is the third French fishery to enter the MSC programme.