Alaska fisheries to be certified

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) on Wednesday announced that selected Global Trust Certification Ltd. to perform independent, third-party assessments of Alaska’s fisheries management systems.

Alaska’s four major commercial fisheries — salmon, shellfish, groundfish and halibut and sablefish — will be assessed for conformance to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and Guidelines for Eco-labeling Fishery Products, which ASMI called the world’s most widely recognized sustainability principles.

The first fishery certification is due to be completed in 2011.

Because it’s being provided through ASMI, there will be no logo-licensing fees, which means certification will be free to all Alaska customers. Global Trust certification is in line with ASMI’s mission of increasing the value of Alaska seafood, said ASMI.

“For over 50 years, Alaska has been the leader in sustainable fisheries management,” said ASMI Executive Director Ray Riutta. “Now, as a service to the entire Alaska seafood industry, we expect to be able to offer a robust certification.”
 
“This is not a new standard,” added Peter Marshall, founder and CEO of Ireland-based Global Trust. “The FAO Codes are recognized and respected. Global Trust offers a refreshed, high-integrity certification process backed by accreditation, which is of interest to ‘best-in-class’ fisheries. Both Alaska and Iceland are recognized as world models of best fisheries management practices.”

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