A Seattle based fishing organisation will resume certification of the Alaska salmon fishery under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard for sustainable fisheries.
The process was suspended in January when a group of Alaska salmon processors requested the previous MSC client, Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, to withdraw from the program. The Purse Seine Vessel Owners Association (PSVOA), which represents fishing vessel owners operating along the West Coast and throughout Alaska, will serve as the new MSC client.
“We have been contacted by a number of salmon processors wanting to maintain the MSC program for Alaska salmon”, said Bob Kehoe, executive director for PSVOA.
When first certified in 2000 Alaska salmon became the flagship fishery for MSC certification. “The MSC program brought sustainability to the forefront, reinforcing 50 years of responsible State salmon management and the unique qualities of wild Alaska salmon,” said Mr Kehoe. “Fishermen are receiving higher prices for their catch and proof of sustainability has been a contributing factor.”
The current MSC certification for Alaska salmon expires in October. “We are optimistic that by restarting the certification now we can avoid any interruption in the availability of the MSC label. The MSC is the trademark for sustainability in many salmon markets, especially Europe,” said Mr Kehoe.
Kerry Coughlin, MSC Regional Director, Americas, said: “The Marine Stewardship Council welcomes continuing partnership with Alaska salmon fishermen and processing companies and appreciates the willingness of the Purse Seine Vessel Owner’s Association to serve as the client organisation for the whole of the Alaska fishery.
“The Alaska salmon fishery has been a long-standing model of sustainable fishery management, and has been part of the MSC program since 2000. Over the last 12 years buyers in seafood markets around the world increasingly have made commitments to adopt the MSC standard as part of their seafood sourcing policies. Our many commercial partners who appreciate providing MSC certified Alaska salmon to their customers will be pleased at this decision to re-activate the assessment with the intention of continuing MSC certification of the Alaska salmon fishery.
“Under the MSC program, a fishery is formally recognised as entering assessment when an accredited, independent, third-party certifier files documents with the MSC. We look forward to officially announcing the re-activated re-assessment of Alaska salmon when those documents are received, which is anticipated in the next few days.”
