Pole and line skipjack fishery, Maldives Seafood Processors and Exporters Association (MSPEA), has become the first Indian Ocean tuna fishery to gain the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
Pole and line fishing is a centuries-old practice in the Maldives and is thought to be a good example of highly selective and low impact fishing. MSPEA was assessed by third part certifier, Intertek Moody Marine, for the health of its overall stock, its management of skipjack in the Indian Ocean and potential impacts on habitats and non-target species. The assessment also received stakeholder input from WWF.
Daniel Suddaby, tuna manager, WWF´s Smart Fishing Initiative, said: “The certification of this fishery will help to make the Indian Ocean’s commercial fisheries more economically and environmentally sustainable. We hope that the Maldives Pole and Line Skipjack Fishery will serve as a trigger for other tuna fishing fleets to enter the assessment process for MSC certification.”
To improve sustainable fishing, the fishery has started work with the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) to develop limit reference points, implement harvest control rules and requirements for gathering information and protection of endangered, threatened and protected species.
The current MSC certificate is valid for five years during which progress against these management action plans will be tracked and available for public review.
