The US Acadian redfish, haddock and pollock otter trawl fishery has entered the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) assessment process.
The fishery is located in US Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank region, and covers all fish harvesters in the groundfish complex managed by the New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC) under the authority of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service.
The client putting this fishery forward for assessment is Cape Ann Seafood Exchange Inc. (CASE), a seafood trading business located in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Through CASE, many licensed vessels fishing in the region connect with other companies that wish to source fish from the area. For other participants in the fishery who would like to join the certificate, CASE has expressed interest in discussing certificate sharing arrangements according to MSC requirements.
The majority of the catch from this fishery is sold fresh in New England through regional buyers and then onwards to local and distant markets in the United States.
“The New England groundfish fishery is well managed and we look forward to achieving MSC certification which will help us demonstrate this management success and grow markets across the United States,” said Kristian Kristensen, President, of Cape Ann Seafood Exchange Inc. “Cape Ann Seafood Exchange is working with our local fishermen and seafood partners to help sustain the industry in our area by increasing awareness of these species. Groundfish built Gloucester and it is our hope that with MSC certification we will be better positioned to communicate our sustainability story to all.”
