Canada is now the world’s first country to have its entire swordfish catch certified under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) program.
On Thursday, the North West Atlantic Canada swordfish (Xiphias Gladius) pelagic longline fishery — which occurs in waters off Nova Scotia and on the Grand Banks, inside and outside Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — was awarded MSC certification by independent certifier Intertek Moody Marine.
The swordfish fishery — which is regulated by the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) under the auspices of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) — yields an average of 1,100 metric tons annually, and more than 90 percent of the catch is exported to the United States.
In addition to its entire swordfish catch being MSC certified, the swordfish fishery is Canada’s first pelagic longline fishery to achieve the distinction. “MSC certification demonstrates the deep commitment of our swordfish industry and resource managers to the sustainable harvest and management of the swordfish resource,” said Troy Atkinson of the Nova Scotia Swordfishermen’s Association.
