The first clam fishery in the United States has set out to meet the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) global standard for sustainable fishing.
The Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog fishery hopes to earn the wild-caught sustainability distinction, which was crafted by the MSC alongside scientists, conservation groups and the seafood industry at large. A host of processors are backing the fishery’s bid, including: Bumble Bee Seafoods; Sea Watch International Ltd; Lamonica Fine Foods; Atlantic Capes Fisheries Inc.; and Surfside Foods LLC. SCS Global Services will be the third-party entity conducted the assessment.
An important commercial species for the United States, iconic surfclams and ocean quahogs can be found in a wide variety of products including breaded clam strips, minced clams, stuffed clams, chowders and bisques. What’s more, surfclams and quahogs were respectively valued at USD 30 million (EUR 27.4 million) and USD 22 million (EUR 20.1 million) in 2014.
Landing ports that fall within the U.S. Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog fishery include New Bedford, Gloucester, and Fairhaven, Massachusetts; Warren and Bristol, Rhode Island; Point Pleasant, Atlantic City, Cape May, and Port Norris, New Jersey; and on occasion, Ocean City, Maryland.
"Our customers and consumers care about sustainability and want to contribute to healthy ocean ecosystems by enjoying sustainably harvested surfclams and quahogs now, and in the future. We are confident that the MSC process will validate the sustainability of these well-managed and healthy fisheries,” said Mike Kraft, Vice President of Sustainability, Bumble Bee Seafoods, one of the processors supporting this assessment.
"The MSC’s vision is for oceans to be teeming with life for future generations. We welcome the U.S. Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog fishery’s decision to enter MSC assessment. This is an important milestone for the MSC and for fishing in the U.S.,” added Brian Perkins, MSC regional director for the Americas.
SCS Global Services will assess the fishery’s stock health, its management and the impact it has on the marine environment. All-in-all, the process is expected to take around 18 months.
