The Suriname Atlantic seabob shrimp has entered full assessment for Marine Stewardship Council certification . If successful, subject to traceability certification, the fishery will be able to display the MSC eco-label on its products. This shows they can be traced back to an independently certified, sustainable and well-managed fishery. The Heiploeg Group [2] has commissioned the assessment on behalf of 30 vessels based in Suriname
The fishery for Atlantic Ssabob shrimp (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri), a small-sized short-lived shrimp, takes place in the coastal waters of Suriname and is located within the Guiana-Brazil Large Marine Ecosystem. Using twinrigged otter trawls, the fishery runs all year round. The seabob trawlers land to the local fleet management of processing companies of Guiana Seafoods (part of the Heiploeg Group) and Namoona. The annual landings are approximately 10,000MT, which is over 90% of the Suriname seabob landings.
Chris Meskens and Ralph Sanders of Morubel NV Belgium, one of the participant companies in The Heiploeg Group and managers of the seabob project say: “The mission of The Heiploeg Group is to further develop the market for shrimp and selected seafood products by excelling at customer relations, innovation and sustainability. We set up this project to improve the sustainability of the seabob fishery to a level suitable for potential MSC certification. To achieve this, we rely on the enthusiastic cooperation of the Suriname Government, the fisheries companies Guiana Seafoods and Namoona and the scientific support of Nautilus Consultants. If this fishery successfully completes full assessment, we really look forward to marketing the first tropical shrimp with MSC certification.”
Rupert Howes, CEO of the MSC says: “I am delighted to see another important fishery from Latin America enter full assessment. This is also a great news story even before the final determination of the assessment process – a fishery has come forward in partnership with their customers to work together, supported by the Government, on an initiative that has aimed to improve the fishery to the point we have reached now, to be ready to enter into full assessment. I wish them every success.”
The assessment will be carried out by independent certifier Food Certification International.
