The board of directors of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has voted to put new measures in place to “enhance” ASMI’s responsible fisheries management (RFM) certification program.
ASMI, which created the RFM program based on standards from the UN’s food and agriculture organization (FAO), has promoted the RFM program as an alternative to certification programs offered by third-party organizations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
"We've built a credible third party certification program for our industry and customers, and we are evolving the program,” said Michael Cerne, ASMI’s executive director. “Just as Alaska's fishery managers and biologists are dedicated to improvements in the fishery management system, we too remain committed to continuous improvement with RFM."
The changes include facilitating the participation of additional certification bodies and the establishment of a “task force” to “further the acceptance and use of RFM certification by Alaska’s seafood customers and the Alaska seafood industry,” according to ASMI.
