The Abrolhos Island and Mid-West scallop trawl fishery has achieved MSC certification, the first scallop fishery in Australia and the eleventh fishery in Western Australia (WA) to gain certification.
The independent assessment conducted by MRAG Americas found the fishery to be well-managed and supported by strong science from the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Management measures in place include a limited number of licenses, set seasonal closures, specified gear types, and catch limits determined by an annual stock survey. The fishery’s stock assessment is underpinned by more than thirty years of survey data.
“Regardless of the fishery, the national and international buyers are looking for high quality product that is sustainable and well managed and so the Abrolhos scallops tick a lot of boxes. Because of the pristine waters in the Abrolhos Islands the scallops boast a lovely white flesh and sweet taste, which is exactly what buyers are looking for. For these discerning consumers, seeing the blue MSC eco-tick on seafood packaging is part of their buying decision,” said WA Fishing Industry Council CEO Darryl Hockey.
“The value of this certification is reflected in the number of high-value fisheries that are putting in the effort to achieve MSC certification. Its value is recognised globally by wholesalers, retailers and consumers and sets these products apart from the masses.”
The fishery targets the saucer scallop (Ylistrum balloti), known for its sweet flavour and firm, white flesh. Abrolhos scallops are processed at dedicated facilities in Fremantle and Geraldton and distributed to domestic and international markets, including Singapore and Hong Kong.
The Abrolhos Island scallop fishery contributes more than $5 million to the Western Australian economy annually, creating local jobs and providing quality, sustainable seafood to consumers across Australia and internationally.
“This is a credit both to industry and to the fisheries department. Fisheries management is something that continues to evolve, and having the MSC Standard to guide future improvement is going to be really beneficial to the fishery,” said Hamish Ch’ng, managing director of Far West Scallops which operates the fishery, adding that achieving certification reflects the really good practices that have developed over time in the fishery.
Western Australia’s portfolio of certified fisheries has now grown to eleven, running the length of the WA coastline, which collectively represent approximately 90% of the State’s fisheries by value.
“This certification is well recognised in local, national and international markets,” commented Western Australia’s fisheries minister Don Punch.
“That this fishery has now met the rigorous MSC criteria for minimising environmental impact, sustainable stocks and effective management is cause for celebration and reflects the combined efforts made by government, industry and the operators towards sustainability for our State’s fisheries.”
