The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has opened a local office in The Hague in response to the strong Dutch demand for seafood sourced from MSC-certified fisheries.
Camiel Derichs, North European Fisheries Manager, will lead the MSC’s commercial and fisheries outreach activities in The Netherlands to further boost interest in environmental certification and eco-labelling according to MSC standards.
“Many players in the Dutch seafood sector are interested in becoming MSC-certified. All these parties can now liaise with someone on the ground to help them make things happen. The Netherlands counts among the biggest seafood exporters in the EU. It is essential for the MSC to ensure strong participation in our programme by Dutch fisheries, seafood processors and retailers alike to increase the visibility of our eco-label in key markets,“ says Camiel Derichs.
Brief history of the MSC in The Netherlands:
* July 2007: MSC local office opens in The Hague
* March 2007: “Fishes” becomes the first independent fishmonger chain in continental Europe to offer fish from MSC-certified fisheries
* March 2006: The Pelagic Freezer-Trawler Association achieves MSC certification
* May 2006: Dr Esther Luiten from the Dutch North Sea Foundation joins the MSC’s Stakeholder Council
* June 2006: WWF Netherlands launches a sustainable seafood campaign. Three million fish guides promoting the MSC label are distributed by WWF and the North Sea Foundation
* January 2005: “Frank’s Smoke House” introduces MSC-labelled Alaska salmon in its fish shop in Amsterdam
* November 2002: The first Dutch fishery, the Pelagic Freezer-Trawler Association, enters assessment to the MSC standard
* June 2001: iglo launches the first ever MSC-labelled fish product in The Netherlands
