Three Icelandic fisheries enter certification process

This application is an important step for the seafood industry in Iceland, to seek further verification of sustainable use of the marine resources in Icelandic waters and thus strengthen the competitiveness of seafood products from Iceland.

The collective interests in Icelandic Haddock, Saithe and Golden Redfish have submitted applications to have their fisheries assessed under the Programme. Applications were received by the independent certification body, Global Trust, from stakeholders in the fishing industry in Iceland; The Federation of Icelandic Fishing Vessel Owners (LÍÚ), The Federation of Icelandic Fish Processing Plants (SF) and The National Association of Small Boat Owners, Iceland (NASBO). These stakeholders are united under the Iceland Responsible Fisheries Foundation. Global Trust has initiated a review in order to validate each application for full assessment purposes.

All fisheries occur within the Icelandic 200 mile EEZ and are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Fisheries for Iceland. Each application is supported by the interests of all Icelandic fishers and processors. If successful, applicants will receive one certificate for each fishery which will be available to all Icelandic fishing companies, gears and regions.

“Iceland recognises the importance of responsible fisheries management. Seafood is our heritage, our livelihood and our future. Utilising Iceland's rich marine resources in an efficient and responsible manner that ensures our future is at the very heart of our management policy. Now, through the Iceland Responsible Fisheries Programme, we have the mechanism to demonstrate this in a manner recognised by our valuable supply chain partners and global stakeholders in seafood”, states Gunnar Tómasson, chair of the Iceland Responsible Fisheries Foundation and manager of production and marketing at Thorbjorninn in Grindavik.