Dutch razor clam fishery MSC-certified
By SeafoodSource staff
20 November, 2012
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A Dutch razor clam fishery on Tuesday became the first Marine Stewardship Council-certified fishery for an introduced species.
The
Producers’ Organisation of the Dutch Fishermen’s Association (DFA)
razor clam fishery assessment was part-funded by a certification grant
from the Dutch Ministry of Economics, Agriculture and Innovation and the
Dutch province of Zeeland and was carried out by independent certifier
Food Certification International.
The MSC guidelines for
introduced species were developed to allow fisheries on non-native
species to seek evaluation against the MSC standard for sustainable
fisheries. Consistent with best international practice, fisheries
targeting introduced species can only be considered for MSC
certification if the introduction is now irreversible, if the species is
now self-sustaining and if the introduction occurred prior to 1993.
“This
is a global first and I am delighted to welcome the Dutch razor clam
fishery into the MSC program. The new guidance was specifically
developed to extend the benefits of certification to those introduced
species fisheries that were meeting best practice in sustainable
management,” said Rupert Howes, MSC chief executive. “I congratulate the
fishery on their pioneering efforts; I hope they prove to be the first
of more such fisheries who wish to meet the growing demand for certified
sustainable.”
Like all MSC-certified fisheries, introduced
species fisheries must demonstrate that they are sustainably managed to
ensure the continuation of the target stock and supporting ecosystems.
“The
razor clam stock in the Dutch coastal waters is in very good shape and
we nurture that through our responsible way of fishing. We have
established a management plan with obligations and responsibilities that
sets out the rules for fishermen and trading companies. Now the MSC has
rewarded all this extra work and we are very proud of our certificate,”
explained Johan Nooitgedagt, president of the DFA. “I hope that
Northern Europeans will now start eating razor clams from Dutch
fisheries at home, and not only during their holidays in Southern
Europe.”
The DFA razor clam fishery takes place in the
southwestern and northern coastal waters of The Netherlands. There are
eight licenses for the fishery on razor clams (Ensis directus), four of
which are in use. The vessels catch approximately 3,700 metric tons (MT)
fresh weight. This is 46 percent of the 2012 total allowable national
catch (8,000 MT). Dutch razor clams are mainly sold to the Spanish and
Italian markets.
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20 November, 2012