Alaska salmon fishery re-certified
Alaska is North America's largest source of wild-caught salmon. Credit: Zureks/Wiki
The Alaska salmon fishery has earned MSC re-certification after a third party assessment by Intertek Moody Marine (IMM) determined that it meets the standards of a sustainable and well managed fishery.
The Alaska salmon fishery was first certified in 2000 and then re-certified in 2007. This third certification was undertaken by the 400-member Purse Seine Vessel Owners Association (PSVOA) serving as the client along with a group of Alaska salmon processing companies.
It establishes a new milestone by becoming the first US fishery to receive a third certification in the MSC programme.
Bob Kehoe, executive director for PSVOA, said, "The MSC programme has brought sustainability to the forefront, reinforcing 50 years of responsible state management and the unique qualities of Alaska salmon. This recertification offers a valuable and independent assurance to buyers that the fishery is sustainably managed."
PSVOA opened the certificate to other companies to voluntarily join and Copper River Seafoods, International Seafoods of Alaska, Ekuk Fisheries, 10th and M Seafoods, Silver Bay Seafoods, Hoonah Cold Storage and one other anonymous company have signed to be part of the client group.
In order for Alaska salmon to be eligible to make the MSC claim, it must have gone through one of the members of the client group.
Re-certification covers 13 units of the fishery - the Prince William Sound unit however, remains in assessment pending additional data.
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