Tribal fishery achieves MSC certification

There are 12 Units of Certification covering Pink Salmon), Chum Salmon, Coho Salmon and King Salmon, using three gear types: gillnet, seine, and troll.

The fishery operates from May through October and pink salmon represents the majority of the harvest, at approximately 83%. The harvest averaged 1.1 million salmon or approximately 3,000mt over 10 years and value averaged US$1.3 million. The harvest is sold primarily to markets in Europe.

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), the independent certifier that established the Annette Island fishery meets the rigorous MSC sustainability standard, included in the certification 22 improvement actions on the 12 Units of Certification. The improvement actions provide the tribal community with tools and management strategies with which to further improve the fishery and salmon stocks. The conditions include:

• Establishing management targets to ensure the diversity and reproductive capacity of AIR populations of coho salmon
• Demonstrating a re-building strategy is in place that ensures that harvest of other stocks does not negatively affect the potential for recovery of depleted local sockeye salmon populations
• Initiating sampling programs to obtain sufficient information to estimate the significance of enhanced fish to the status and diversity of wild stocks in the area
• Establishing a scientifically defensible monitoring and reporting system for Endangered, Threatened, Protected (ETP) species

“MSC certification and the fishery improvements over time that will result from the conditions contained in certification will send a powerful message to the local community, tribal members, Alaska neighbours and European markets that purchase our seafood that the Metlakatla Indian Community is committed to sustainable fishing practices for this and future generations,” said Mayor Arthur G. Fawcett.