An Italian anchovy and sardine fishery has become the first in the Mediterranean to enter Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment.
The Consorzio Mare Adriatico (Chioggia) fishery catches anchovy and sardine in the Northern Adriatic using a pelagic medium-water pair trawl. It is the first fishery in Italy, and the first in the Mediterranean, to volunteer for assessment to the MSC Fisheries Standard.
Anchovy and sardine are symbolic fish species in Italy, and most fish from the Consorzio Mare Adriatico are sold in Italy and Europe.
Consorzio Mare Adriatico has a long history of fishing in the Adriatic. The fleet consists of eight vessels fishing in pairs. In 2014 the fishery caught about 2,000 tons of anchovies and 3,500 tons of sardine.
Francesca Oppia, MSC program director for Italy, said, "The MSC’s vision is for oceans to be teeming with life for future generations. We welcome this fishery’s decision to enter MSC assessment. This is an important milestone for the MSC and for fishing in the Mediterranean. The assessment will determine whether the fishery is taking the necessary steps to protect the ocean environment, and secure seafood supplies, for the future.”
The assessment will be conducted by a third party independent certification body, Rina Spa Service, and will take around 18 months.
