Independent Adjudicator, Melanie Carter, has remanded an objection on the Faroese Pelagic Organisation North-East Atlantic Mackerel Fishery to the certifier, Det Norske Veritas (DNV). According to the report submitted by DNV the fishery was described as consistent with international laws or standards aimed at achieving sustainable fisheries.
On the other hand the Faroe Islands have not agreed a way of sharing the quota between coastal states (currently agreed by Norway and the EU). According to Carter it was unreasonable of DNV to describe the fishery as meeting the minimum level required. The decision follows an oral hearing and further submissions by the certifier, fishery client and the objectors, Marine Scotland.
The objection demand DNV to reconsider their scoring of the fishery on PI 3.1.1 and either change it or provide justification for their decision. Normally, the certifier would be given 10 working days to supply their response. Once DNV has responded, the other parties in the objection will be given a further 5 working days to respond to their decision.
Carter said that EU and Norway have put in place their own bilateral agreement setting out their agreed share of the TAC and that the degree to which a management system is in place may vary according to the different jurisdictions. All of the MSC certified mackerel fisheries are still subject to the harmonised condition that requires them to establish a mechanism for monitoring and managing the combined catch of all the nations (including Iceland and the Faroe Islands) before the end of 2011.
