The Oregon pink shrimp fishery has voluntarily entered full assessment to seek MSC re-certification, four years after it was first certified.
A MSC certification lasts for five years with annual surveillance audits. The certification included improvement actions for the fishery to implement including capturing additional data in vessel logbooks and obtaining more independent research about the fishery catch and ecosystem impacts to provide more information for fishery management.
The fishery operates off the coast of Oregon in the western United States and approximately 60 vessels are covered under the existing MSC certification. The primary fishing method is otter trawling and bycatch reduction devices are mandatory. The annual catch landed at Oregon ports averages about 11,000t, with an average shrimp size of approximately three inches. Shrimp are sold primarily into US west coast retail and food service markets.
Brad Pettinger, director of the Oregon Trawl Commission, said: “Having the distinction of being the first shrimp fishery in the world to achieve MSC certification is a source of tremendous pride for our fishermen; equally important, certification confirms to the public, retailers, the conservation community and our government officials that the Oregon pink shrimp fishery is managed to the highest standards in the world. We look forward to the recertification effort proving that the Oregon pink shrimp fishery is deserving of the right to use the blue MSC ecolabel.”
