The West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Fishery is entering Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
Western Australia’s Fisheries Minister Ken Baston said he was pleased the State’s crystal crab was joining Mandurah’s blue swimmer crab and sea mullet fisheries in seeking full MSC assessment.
“Currently operating with an allowable harvest of 140 tonnes per year, the fishery is keen to see its sustainable operations undergo assessment against the world-leading MSC certification standard,” Mr Baston said.
“Exports to China account for about 30% of sales and independent certification will further enhance the fishery’s reputation as a quality, sustainable, seafood provider.”
The latest fisheries to undertake full assessment join the Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf prawn fisheries vying for the same goal. WA’s western rock lobster fishery, the world’s first fishery to attain MSC certification, has been MSC certified for 15 years.
Full assessment of the crystal crab fishery may take up to 18 months.
