The hoki trawl fishery operating in the Argentine EEZ and adjacent waters has entered full assessment to be considered for MSC certification and is the second South American fishery to officially seek MSC certification.
The client group applying for MSC certification consists of five Argentine fishing companies which are responsible for more than 50 per cent of the total Argentine hoki annual catch. The companies are Pespasa-Pesantar, Estremar, San Arawa, Yuken and Grupo Valastro.
Primary products produced from Argentine hoki are frozen fish, filet and surimi. Products are mostly exported to Japan, France, Germany, England and Spain.
Daniel Rivera, the representative of the client group, said, “We believe this is the right moment. The sustainable fishing conditions present a clear opportunity to achieve the final evaluation and certification of the hoki fishery, as well as support our commitment to continue expanding to other species.”
Organización Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA) has been contracted by the fishery client group to conduct the independent, third-party assessment, which is expected to take 12 months to complete.
