Northeast U.S. groundfish fishery tackles MSC assessment

The U.S. Acadian redfish, haddock and pollock otter trawl fishery voluntarily entered the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) independent assessment process. Products from the fishery will be eligible to carry the MSC eco-label if it successfully achieves certification.

The fishery is located in the U.S. Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank region. It covers all fish harvesters in the groundfish complex managed by the New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC) under the authority of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service.

The majority of the catch from the fishery is sold fresh in New England through regional buyers and then onwards to local and distant markets in the United States. Cape Ann Seafood Exchange (CASE) is putting the fishery up for assessment. CASE, located in Gloucester, Mass., allows for the connection of licensed vessels fishing in the region with companies that wish to source from the area.

“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,” said Kristian Kristensen, president of CASE. “Groundfish built Gloucester and it is our hope that with MSC certification we will be better positioned to communicate our sustainability story to all.”

“We welcome Cape Ann Seafood Exchange’s decision to enter MSC assessment and wish them well during the process,” said Jay Lugar, MSC fisheries outreach manager for the Americas. “This New England fishery has been delivering seafood to local communities, national and export markets for many generations and seafood markets would be pleased to have additional certified supplies of these iconic species.”

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