Scientists and environmental organisations last week criticized the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for its proposed certification of Ross Sea Antarctic toothfish. The certification was recommended by UK-based Moody Marine, the organisation chosen by the Ross Sea fishers and accepted by the MSC.
The report apparently ignores the written arguments of 40 marine scientists from seven nations who have worked in the Ross Sea for decades, as well as several ASOC member organizations.
“The Ross Sea Toothfish fishery is 'exploratory' under CCAMLR rules due to the lack of scientific data and a reliable stock assessment," said David Ainley, a marine scientist who has been studying the Ross Sea for 35 years for the US Antarctic program.
“There is great uncertainly about the toothfish population and its biology. It is completely inappropriate for the MSC to consider certifying this fishery,” said Dr Sidney Holt, an independent expert on fish population dynamics.
"Certification of the Ross Sea toothfish fishery ignores the very inexact science surrounding the fishery, including the age at which fish are fully mature and how often they breed. It flies in the face of public opinion and the wish to see one of the very few intact ocean ecosystems on Earth - the Ross Sea - fully protected as a marine reserve," said Jim Barnes, ASOC Executive Director. “Moody Marine's analysis is shocking.”
Mr Barnes said the groups are considering appealing the certification to Moody Marine. It must be filed by 11 December under MSC rules.
The MSC has since issued a statement saying that although the report was released by Moody Marine, this is not the final certification result. There is now a period during which a party may lodge an intent to object and if an objection is lodged, an Independent Adjudicator will consider the objection and determine whether the fishery should be certified against the MSC standard or not.
