The North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA) is sounding the alarm about the sustainability of Northeast Atlantic blue whiting.
The collaboration of more than 50 supply chain businesses has raised concerns about the ‘political stalemate’ it says has been affecting pelagics management for the past three years, preventing the certification of blue whiting.
The species is subject to a NAPA fisheries improvement programme under the MarinTrust Improvement Programme. The FIP attempts to foster political consensus on a long-term, science-based sharing agreement between coastal states in the North East Atlantic fishery complex, but the deadline of October this year is looming with little progress made.
“Without an arrangement, blue whiting can not be used for Aquaculture Stewardship Council feeds,” said Dave Robb, sustainability lead, Cargill Aqua Nutrition Group. “There is very little time left for change and we are preparing for a future where we must fundamentally change the sources of marine ingredients.”
Leif Kjetil Skjæveland, manager of sustainability and public relations, Skretting Norway highlighted the species’ importance in fishmeal production. “We only buy fishmeal and oil from a certified source or FIP and we need to see blue whiting back on track to certification,” he said.
“It’s time for action or we will be forced to stop buying from this fishery.”
NAPA says it is continuing to seek coastal state representatives to help resolve the political stalemate, working with businesses across the salmon and catching sectors to bolster their message to politicians.
“Business security, environmental sustainability, food security and responsible ocean management – these should be political priorities that rise about a disagreement on sharing stocks,” said NAPA. “The gamble here is continuing to act as if the science is meaningless.”
