The MSC has awarded Oregon Trawl Commission a 2022 MSC US Ocean Champion Award for their continued dedication to seafood sustainability and ocean health.
The Oregon Trawl Commission manages three MSC certified trawl fisheries including the US West Coast pink shrimp, US West Coast groundfish, and Pacific hake mid-water fisheries. Oregon pink shrimp was the first shrimp fishery in the world to enter the MSC process and achieved its first certification against the MSC sustainable fishing standard in 2007.
Pacific hake followed in 2010 and groundfish in 2014. Over the years OTC has been a proven innovator and partner in supporting healthy fisheries and oceans, from rebuilding rockfish stocks along the US west coast, to reducing eulachon by-catch in pink shrimp nets by using LED lights.
‘The Oregon Trawl Commission’s MSC US Ocean Champion Award is a celebration of a 15-year partnership that includes one of the most complex and diverse fisheries to meet the MSC standard. Progress has been built upon recovered stocks, stakeholder collaboration and trust, and regional leadership. Their work has greatly contributed to the variety and access of MSC certified sustainable seafood options for consumers and the protection of ocean health,’ said MSC US program director Nicole Condon.
‘We are grateful to the Marine Stewardship Council for their recognition of our industry’s long-term commitment to stewardship and sustainability,’ said Yelena Nowak, executive director of the Oregon Trawl Commission.
‘This award truly signifies years of hard work and collaborative efforts between the Oregon pink shrimp, whiting and groundfish fisheries and our partners in fisheries management as well as the environmental and research community.’
The MSC US Ocean Champion Award was established in 2017 to reward fisheries and companies engaged in the MSC program who demonstrate continued leadership on sustainability above and beyond the MSC fisheries or Chain of Custody standards. Awardees are selected based on their demonstrated leadership and the ability to spark positive change within the industry.
