The South Georgia Patagonian toothfish longline fishery has been certified as a sustainable and well managed fishery for the third time.
Originally certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in 2004, the fishery was recertified in 2009 and has just completed its second re-assessment. Once again there are no conditions on the certification and the fishery scored an average of 96 out of 100 against the three MSC principles, making it one of the world’s highest scoring fisheries assessed against MSC standards.
Building on this success, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), that manages the fishery, has pledged a continued commitment to further improving the fishery. This will include an extensive programme of scientific work in order to support the management of the fishery over the next five years.
The fishery is managed by GSGSSI with scientific advice and support from the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas) and from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Dr Martin Collins OBE, Chief Executive of the GSGSSI says: “We are delighted that the toothfish fishery has been recertified and the excellent scores attained reflect the efforts made by the GSGSSI, its scientific consultants and fishing industry to ensure the fishery is managed sustainably. South Georgia is a unique environment and the GSGSSI will continue in its efforts to improve all aspects of the fishery.”
