Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certificate is ready to label the Ria de Pontevedra razor clam fishery and the Ria de Arosa clam and cockle fishery as they have entered full assessment for sustainable and well-managed fisheries. They are the first artisanal Spanish fisheries to undergo a full scientific assessment for MSC certification, and the first fisheries operating on Spanish waters to enter the MSC program.
These fisheries follow strict stock conservation method and maintain sustainable fishing from the bottom of their hearts. The client will be the Fishermen’s Association Cofradia de Bueu comprising 15 shell-fishers and 11 vessels, with an annual catch of 35 tonnes. The clam harvest is highly valued, both at local markets and throughout Spain, and always sold as fresh fish. Competition from foreign razor clams obtained by other gear is on the increase and the Galician fishers find that the price of their product has experienced declines of more than 30-40 percent.
The Ria de Arosa Cooperative catches three clam species (Ruditapes decussatus, Venerupis pullastra, Ruditapes phillippinarum) and cockles (Cerastodema edule). The Cooperative produces 15 tonnes per year, distributed through regional and national markets. Jose Manuel Agulla Piñeiro, member of the Cofradia de Bueu, said that the future of fishermen depends upon the sustainable management of marine resources.
He added that divers who collect razor clams at Ria de Pontevedra are confident that the MSC certification program will allow us to have a better knowledge of our fishery and reinforce our commitment to sustainable fishing. Juan José Dieste Rodríguez, President of Cooperativa de Arosa has commented that Galician artisanal fleets must take a strong stand on sustainability.
Laura Rodriguez, MSC Manager for Spain and Portugal said that one of the challenges for artisanal fisheries is differentiation of their product in a global market and MSC certificate will boost their market in many ways.
