The Dutch Fishmongers Association, VNV (Verbond van de Nederlandse Visdetailhandel) has started a ground-breaking project to promote the uptake of certified sustainable seafood among its network of 750 independent fish shops.
The project will encourage VNV members to sell and promote fish with the Marine Stewardship Council's eco-label by helping them to get certified under the MSC's Chain of Custody standard for seafood traceability. Part-funding for fishmongers taking part in the project will be provided to encourage MSC certification.
The project also features a co-operation with DOEN Foundation, North Sea Foundation and WWF to communicate about sustainable seafood to VNV members and the public, as well as provide administrative and financial support for MSC-certification. The project represents an innovative approach to encourage MSC-certification among a large group of independent fish shops and has great potential for replication in other countries.
VNV's announcement comes shortly after the Dutch supermarket chains, represented by the Centraal Bureau Levensmiddelenhandel (CBL), and Visgilde, the largest group of associated fishmongers, have committed to stock fish and seafood from MSC-certified sources.
