The Marine Stewardship Council on Thursday announced that the United Kingdom’s Hastings Dover sole trawl and gillnet fishery has been certified as well managed and sustainable.
This is the 49th fishery worldwide to earn MSC certification. Now all Dover sole landed in Hastings eligible to carry the MSC eco-label.
“Sustainable fishing practices are essential to the health of both the fishing industry and the marine ecosystem,” said Paul Joy, chairman of the Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society. “Hastings fishermen have strived hard to achieve this balance between use and conservation and we are delighted to be awarded our third MSC certificate. It means a great deal to us. It proves that we are an environmentally friendly fishery.”
The Hastings Dover sole fishery targets species seasonally using a variety of gears.
“The certification of the entire Dover sole fishery is a huge achievement for Hastings,” added MSC CEO Rupert Howes. “MSC certification provides the fishermen with recognition of their good management and an opportunity to add real value to their product in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Nearly 200 fisheries are engaged in the MSC program, with 49 certified, 108 under assessment and 20 to 30 in confidential pre-assessment. Collectively, the fisheries represent more than 5 million metric tons of seafood.
