The Russia Barents Sea Greenland Halibut Fishery and Opilio Trap Fishery catching snow crab have been awarded Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification as sustainable and well-managed fisheries.
These certifications were awarded by Lloyd’s Register and bring the total number of MSC-certified fisheries in Russia to 42 of which 18 are in the Russian Barents Sea.
The Opilio Trap Fishery holds 70% of the quota for commercial snow crab in Russia’s exclusive economic zone and its 12 vessels catch between five and ten tonnes per day. This snow crab fishery and the already-certified Russian red king crab fishery are part of the Association of Crab Catchers of North.
The Russia Barents Sea Greenland Halibut Fishery comprises two companies – the North-West Fishing Company-Murmansk and North Fisheries. It operates three vessels and in 2019 caught 4,700 tonnes of Greenland halibut.
The fishery operates in the Norwegian and Russian Economic Zones and the Fishery Protection Zone around Svalbard. It is a joint Norwegian–Russian stock, managed by the Norwegian–Russian Fisheries Commission.
The North-West Fishing Consortium comprises several fishing companies in Northwest Russia, including the North-West Fishing Company - Murmansk, North Fisheries and fishery companies that are members of the Association of Crab Catchers of North.
“In 2016 we committed to achieving MSC certification for all of the fisheries that are part of the North West Fishing Consortium,” said Sergey Nesvetov, executive director of North West Fishing Consortium. “These latest certifications complete this commitment and is a proud moment for our organisation.”
