Young’s has spoken out on the impasse between coastal states in reaching collaborative, sustainable management of mackerel, Altanto-Scandian herring and blue whiting in the Northeast Atlantic.
Young’s has underscored its position that ongoing disputes over these species mean that their business would ultimately cease to purchase from the fisheries. Part of the NAPA coalition, a statement issued Young’s makes it plain that the lack of agreement between coastal states in the region risks the health of valuable pelagic stocks, and is driving business to speak out on the consequences.
“Young’s is the UKs largest seafood processor, with a global supply chain, encompassing over 40 wild capture and aquaculture species. In light of this, we recognise the diverse interests of all stakeholders in the fishing and aquaculture industries. We engage openly in dialogue with all parties, including fishermen, fish farmers, governments, trade associations, NGOs and food retailers. We will strive to ensure that our policies, values and behaviour regarding responsible fish procurement are leading and shaping opinion – and to pursue a vigorous and positive agenda for change rather than being merely passive or responsive to criticism or challenge.”
A spokesman for the company stated that Young’s considers the unilateral setting of quotas is an unacceptable threat to shared-stock fisheries and that the coastal states involved in these fisheries should support securing an agreement on total allowable catches in line with ICES advice and strive for a long-term science-based management agreement.
“Should the NAPA process result in a failure to reach the agreed FIP action plan aims, we will review our sourcing decision and take actions that we deem to be appropriate at the time - the decisions that we make will be further guided by the Sustainable Seafood Coalition Codes of Conduct on Environmentally Responsible Fish and Seafood Sourcing and Environmental Claims. While we are fully committed to playing a role in finding a solution to the management challenges of NE Atlantic pelagic fisheries, the unfortunate consequence of this situation remaining unresolved and total catches continuing to be in excess of the ICES advice, is that Young’s would cease sourcing from these fisheries.”
Representatives of coastal states are currently meeting to negotiate agreements to distribute quotas for mackerel, Atlanto-Scandian herring, and blue whiting, and the same process last year resulted in no agreement, leading to some coastal nations setting their own quotas and a significant overshoot of TACs.
“NAPA is using its global influence and €244 billion in pelagics purchasing power to call on coastal states to put aside their national interests and commit to sustainable management measures – following scientific advice, adopting long-term management plans, and employing dispute resolution mechanisms,” NAPA stated.
“If coastal states are unable to agree management agreements for these stocks, NAPA members emphasise that they could be forced to re-evaluate their individual purchasing decisions.”
