The Tosakatsuo Suisan Japan pole and line skipjack tuna fishery has entered full assessment for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard.
This is the second Japanese fishery and the first skipjack tuna fishery in the world to enter assessment. If successful, certification will allow tuna from the fishery to bear the MSC eco-label.
The Japanese distant-water pole and line fishery started in the 1950s and currently comprises 43 distant-water vessels although only 28 vessels are currently fishing. The total catch is about 60,000 to 70,000mt. The Tosakatsuo Suisan Co Ltd boats are responsible for around 7% of that catch – around 4,000t. The fishery is seasonal and, from November to May fishes in the south Pacific moving further north and east of Japan between September and October. The fishers work with a pole and line technique which produces high quality fish for market.
Hiroyuki Myojin, President of Tosakatsuo Suisan, says: “For over 200 years, we have operated in Kochi’s fertile fishing ground, fishing for skipjack tuna that migrate along the Kuroshio current, using the traditional pole-and-line method, from small boats worked with a scull. Upon learning about the MSC certification process three years ago, we realised that the MSC recognised the ecological soundness of traditional fisheries like ourselves. Firm in our belief that this would be our last hope to save Japan’s proud tradition of skipjack tuna pole-and-line fishing from extinction and preserve it for generations to come, we set out to acquire MSC certification. We are now about to enter full assessment. Once we become an MSC certified fishery, we intend to acquire Chain of Custody certification as well to promote skipjack tuna harvested with the traditional pole-and-line method. We are proud of our heritage and will strive towards upholding the tradition.”
