Following the surveillance audit carried out in December 2011, Moody Marine Intertek has suspended the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification of the Portuguese sardine purse seine fishery. The suspension takes effect from today, 12 January 2012, and has the following impact:
fish caught after 12 January cannot be described and sold as MSC certified or carry the MSC ecolabel
however, fish caught before 12 January deadline may still bear the MSC ecolabel provided it complies with MSC Chain of Custody requirements for traceability and separation.
Next steps for the Portuguese sardine purse seine fishery
The fishery has 90 days to work with its certifier to put in place a suitable action plan to address the reason for suspension. If the certification body approves the action plan, the fishery will remain suspended while the corrective measures are being implemented.
Failure to put a suitable plan in place will result in the fishery having its certificate withdrawn at the end of the 90 days.
Reason for the suspension and suspension requirements
The audit report finds that, because of the sardine stock status (as described in the most recent ICES report) and an absence of appropriate harvest controls, the fishery no longer conforms to the MSC fisheries standard. The fishery now has 90 days to work with Moody Marine Intertek to put in place a plan to introduce corrective measures.
Fishery background
The fishery client affected by the suspension is ANOPCERCO (Associação Nacional das Organizações de Produtores da Pesca do Cerco), the National Association of Purse Seine Producer Organisations, which comprises 128 vessels with an approximate production of 55,000 tonnes in 2011. Anopcerco achieved the certification in January 2010.
The full assessment process was supported by the canning industry association Ancip (Associação Nacional de Comerciantes e Industriais de Produtos Alimentares) which has marketed these products under the MSC ecolabel to more than 14 countries, in particular the UK, Austria and the Netherlands.
The MSC certification contributed to a closer collaboration among the fishermen, the marine research body IPIMAR, the canning industry association and the Portuguese government. Together, they have furthered discussions on reference points and harvest control rules, in accordance with the action plans required by the certification report.
However the status of the stock, as assessed by the last ICES report from July 2011 for the sardine stock of Divisions VIIIc and IXa (Bay of Biscay and Atlantic Iberian Waters), showed an overall negative situation in which fishing mortality (F) has increased since 2008, while the spawning stock biomass (SSB) has decreased since 2006. General conclusions highlight that the situation of the stock, the quota established and the management actions carried out are not sufficient to secure sustainable exploitation of the fishery, based on the scientific data actually available.
Sardine fishery committed to overcoming challenge to certification
Humberto Jorge, President of Anopcerco, said: “The fishery sector faces the suspension of the certification and its consequences. However, the producer organizations and the fisheries sector are truly committed in finding the most adequate and efficient measures of management in order to overcome this major challenge.”
Nicolas Guichoux, Europe Director of the Marine Stewardship Council said: “The MSC program requires ongoing monitoring of sustainability. When changes occur the fishery is required to adapt to ensure it remains compliant with the MSC standard. A suspension notice is served when any change is to a degree that the fishery no longer meets the standard. However, it gives the fishery time to make necessary improvements to have its certificate reinstated.
“The MSC supports Anopcerco and the industry association as they take action to maintain their certification. In spite of this unfortunate setback, we are convinced that it will contribute to better management, lead to improved marine resources for the future and the long term benefit for the fishery and everyone involved.”
