Mexico’s largest fishery by volume, the Pacific sardine fishery in the Gulf of California, has been certified following independent assessment to the MSC standard for sustainable, well-managed fisheries.
An objection formally lodged against the fishery’s certification has been resolved through consultation - clearing the way for the fishery’s certification.
Cámara Nacional de la Industria Pesquera, Delegación Sonora is the fishery client, and 90% of vessels fishing the Gulf of California for sardines are included in the Unit of Certification. Fish caught in the Mexican sardine fishery form large schools that are fished by purse seines, hauled onboard and landed mostly by fish pumps. In the 2009/2010 season landings of Pacific sardines were 256,000mt in the Gulf of California. About 85% of the total production is used for reduction to fish meal. Sardines are also packed in cans for sale into domestic and international markets.
“The members of the Cámara Nacional de la Industria Pesquera, Delegación Sonora, are pleased and proud that we have met all the principles set forward by the MSC required for the certification,” said Leon Tissot, president of the Cámara Nacional de la Industria Pesquera, Delegación Sonora. “The certification is important because it sends a clear message that it is possible to fish in a responsible way in accordance to the FAO fishing code, by being certified we are committed to fish in a responsible, sustainable and environmentally friendly way. With this certification we assert our commitment to the environment and the sustainability of the fishery in the Gulf of California.”
Comunidad y Biodiversidad (COBI) A.C., a Mexican marine conservation organisation, raised an objection on behalf of several non-governmental organisations and scientists from the region. After a series of consultations between the certification body (Scientific Certification Systems), stakeholders and client, the parties came to agreement about the necessary steps and amendments to modify the client action plan that would satisfy all involved. Revision to the action plan included a commitment from the fishery client to provide the opportunity for the objectors to participate in the design and execution of the work to fulfill fishery improvements required as part of the certification. It also included a more rigorous design of the monitoring and reporting system, as well as higher coverage of the fishing fleet with onboard observers to record bycatch and interactions with endangered, threatened and protected species (ETP).
