The Kyoto Danish Seine Fishery Federation snow crab and flathead flounder fishery has been certified under the Marine Stewardship Council standard as a sustainable and well-managed fishery.
Although MSC eco-labelled products are proving popular in Japan, this is the first Japanese fishery to be certified.
KDSFF Chairman, Tetsuya Kawaguchi said: “KDSFF fishermen have been taking measures including setting of prohibited fishing areas and seasonal closures to pass on the bountiful Kyoto offshore sea to our descendents. With our effort, the fish stocks are recovering. I am very pleased because our effort is verified by the MSC certification, and would like to give my gratitude to all people who gave support for this certification. The certification is just a milestone. Our objective is to pass on bountiful seas to the future generations with implementation of stock control and fishing ground management of Kyoto offshore sustainably. As the MSC certified fishery, we will continue to improve the Danish Seine fishery with our love of the Sea of Kyoto.”
The KDSFF was established in 1944 as a not for profit organisation aimed at ensuring efficient fishery operations and effective communication throughout the fishery. It now has 15 member vessels. Commercial fishing in the region dates back much further - to the 1340s when fishers using hand-operated versions of the modern Danish seine nets started fishing for coastal flatfish.
Independent certifier TQCSI determined that the fisheries had met the criteria to be certified following an extensive assessment by an expert team including Japanese and international fisheries scientists. This was followed by a peer and stakeholder review process.
The assessment was partially sponsored by international conservation organisation, WWF. “WWF-US congratulates KDSFF on becoming certified, and looks forward to working with the fishery to help it penetrate new markets and harvest the benefits of certification,” said Meredith Lopuch, deputy director of WWF-US's Sustainable Seafood Initiative. “KDSFF is not only receiving global recognition for their achievement, but through their dedication to sustainable fishing, its members are also in a good position to sustain their fishing lifestyle well into the future.”
