Swedish and Danish nephrops fisheries, Fiskeri AB Ginneton and Danske Fiskeres Producent Organisation (DFPO), have entered into full Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment as a joint client group - a world first.
The fisheries, which operate in Kattegat and Skagerrak all year round, say they have entered into assessment after an increase in demand for MSC certified nephrops.
Kurt Madsen, chairman, DFPO, said: “The nephrops fishery is the single most valuable fishery in the area, and thus of vital importance to the Danish fishing industry."
He added: "We hope that the assessment will document that with closed areas, custom-developed nets and an upcoming trial discard ban ahead of the rest of the EU, this is indeed a fishery worthy of the MSC label.”
The fisheries use demersal trawl and creel. In 2012, landings from Danish vessels were around 3000 tonnes and 1000 tonnes from Swedish vessels.
Danish nephrops are mainly sold frozen to Southern Europe (Italy and France) but small quantities are also sold chilled to local markets. Of the Swedish nephrops harvest, approximately 20% is sold fresh domestically and the rest is exported to Denmark for freezing and to be sold in southern Europe.
The assessment process is expected to take around 12 months and is scheduled for completion for May 2014.
