UK fisheries seek international recognition for environmental practices

The fisheries are the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee (NESFC) lobster fishery on the Yorkshire coast between Staithes and Spurn Point, and the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee (NESFC) sea bass fishery on the Holderness Coast between Flamborough Head Lighthouse and Spurn Point.

Both fisheries will now undergo detailed, independent scientific assessments to be scored against the MSC's strict environmental standard. If they pass, they will be eligible to use the distinctive blue MSC eco-label on seafood packaging, which gives consumers a quick and easy way to identify the best environmental choice in seafood.

"Globally, the depletion of sea resources is one of the world's major environmental threats, and shoppers are looking for ways to support sustainable fishing practices," said Amy Williams, MSC's Commercial Manager. "MSC certification makes sense for environmental and economic reasons, and we welcome these two new fisheries into the assessment programme."

"We believe that the assessment will raise the national and global profile of Yorkshire Coast fisheries with potential to open up new marketing opportunities for local fishermen," said David McCandless of the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee (NESFC).

The announcement marks the first fisheries in North East England, and the first lobster and sea bass fisheries in Europe, to seek MSC certification. The independent assessment will be undertaken by Moody Marine for NESFC and its regional partner organisations. The assessment is being funded through the European Council Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) grant, with match-funding support provided by Yorkshire Forward.

A total of 12 fisheries worldwide have been certified to MSC's environmental standard and 19 are currently in assessment. MSC-labelled seafood is available in almost all UK supermarkets and more than 250 MSC-labelled seafood products are now sold in 24 countries.