The freezer longline Pacific cod fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as a sustainable, eco-friendly and well managed fishery.
The Seattle-based freezer longline fishery currently involves 39 vessels. In 2005, the fleet harvested 116,000 metric tons of Pacific cod off the coast of Alaska. The fish is marketed by Washington- state-based companies to domestic processors as well as others in Europe, Japan and China.
"This certification recognizes the sustainability and respect for the marine environment that distinguishes this fishery," said Dave Little, founder of the Freezer Longline Coalition and president of Clipper Seafoods Ltd.
Paul Gilliland, managing director of Bering Select Seafoods Co., the client for the certification, said the potential demand for MSC-certified products is encouraging. The company was to begin deliveries of MSC-certified Pacific cod in late February.
"We believe the current level of demand will result in an as many as 20 freezer longliners producing MSC-certified Pacific cod over the next year. Future growth is possible as consumers weigh in at fish counters in key markets," he said.
The MSC's distinctive blue eco-label can be found on more than 300 seafood products sold in retail chains in 26 countries. The label is an easy and sure way for consumers to know that the fish they buy is from a sustainable source and is the best environmental choice in seafood.
As MSC-approved cod was moving onto grocery shelves, the Kyoto Danish Seine Fishery Federation began seeking MSC certification for its flathead flounder and snow crab fishery.
Council officials in London said Feb. 17 that this is the first fishery located in Japan, the world's largest consumer of seafood after China, to undergo a full scientific assessment for MSC certification. The federation has signed a contract with TQCS International of Hendon, Australia, to lead the full assessment of the fishery against the MSC's rigorous environmental standard.
Flathead flounder and snow crab are both new species to the MSC program. They will be jointly managed through the assessment process as one fishery. Both fisheries are operated in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone within the Sea of Japan. All product from this fishery is sold on the domestic Japanese market.
The fishery brings the number of fisheries worldwide currently in MSC assessment to 19. Another 15 fisheries have passed the assessment process and are now certified.
Globally, more than 40 fisheries are engaged in the MSC process, together representing more than 3.5 million tons of seafood. Major species include South African hake, New Zealand hoki, Alaska pollock and Alaska salmon. More than 320 MSC-labeled seafood products are now available in 26 countries.
MSC chief executive Rupert Howes noted the importance of Japan to the global fishing trade. "Japan is already a major importer of MSC-certified seafood, and we very much hope that the Kyoto Danish Seine Fishery Federation's decision to move forward into full assessment will encourage other fisheries to do so, and also lead to an increase in the availability of MSC-certified and -labeled seafood in the Japanese market, " Howes said.
An independent evaluation of the Japanese fishery will be led by TQCS International and conducted by a team of experts, who will examine the status of the fish stocks, the impact of the fishery on the marine environment and the effectiveness of management systems. The certification body predicts the assessment will take approximately 10 months. If the fisheries are certified and traceability is established, seafood products from both fisheries will be eligible to use the distinctive blue and white MSC eco-label on packaging.
Margaret Bauman can be reached at margie.bauman@alaskajournal.com.
