The press communiqué states that the icefish fishery of South Georgia has scored good marks on its maintenance of the ecosystem with nets designed to avoid contact with the ocean floor and extensive measures in place to limit bycatch of seabirds. He fishery committed to further research on the fishery and the icefish stock over the next four years.
Icefish are a true ‘cold fish’ living in the Antarctic waters between -2 and 4 C – water temperatures that would kill a human in minutes. Alex Reid, owner of Seaview Ltd, the company that operates the certified fishery said that Icefish from South Georgia is a very special and protected product and it is expected that this certificate will enable to boost the sale of their product to the market that appreciates not only fine fish of a very distinct and special nature, but also a product which is sustainable and carefully conserved and managed sustainably.
The process of gaining MSC certification for the S Georgia Icefish fishery has been a long process which was commenced some 6 years ago. The fact that it takes time to complete is evidence of the extent to which the management and sustainability of the South Georgia Icefish fishery is scrutinised.
The information revealed that the South Georgia fishery takes place in one of the most carefully managed and environmentally conscious areas of the world – one of the last paradises for rare birds and pristine nature. Toby Middleton, UK Country Manager for the MSC told that the South Georgia icefish is one of the UK’s most distant fisheries and I am delighted that it has been certified as sustainable. The fishermen that catch this fish work in some of the most hostile conditions on the planet and, despite the cold and ice, still consider sustainability in their fishing operations.
