Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has contacted the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) regarding the ongoing dispute between the Alaska Salmon Processors Association and a group of Alaska-based salmon processors applying to rejoin the MSC Alaska salmon certificate.
Walker suggested Alaska and the MSC “work together” to resolve the dispute, paving the way for Alaska salmon to be sold with the MSC eco-label.
The processors in question withdrew from the MSC in 2012, but are now asking back onto the certificate in anticipation of a predicted record salmon harvest, and pressure from European markets for those processors to label their salmon MSC certified.
In the 18 May letter, addressed to MSC Chair Werner Kiene and Chief Executive Rupert Howes, Walker points out the importance of Alaska salmon products to the Alaska economy, and how many jobs in Alaska are relying on the salmon industry, but doesn’t address the dispute between ASPA and the processors in detail.
“I understand that there are some unanswered questions as to whether or not some Alaska salmon products will be available in European markets without MSC certification,” Walker wrote. “I ask that MSC representatives work with us so that all Alaska salmon products within the MSC certified fishery would be allowed access to the existing certification for 2015.”
Walker asked Kiene and Howes to help the processors to get properly certified under the MSC program, but did not suggest a specific course of action.
“We would like to work together to ensure our salmon products are indeed available to markets throughout the MSC network,” he wrote. “Your action is needed to uphold MSC policies that promote inclusion and to ensure that wild, sustainable Alaska salmon remain available to all markets.”
