The Falkland Islands longline Patagonian toothfish fishery has entered full assessment for Marine Stewardship Council certification.
This marks the first fishery in Falkand Islands waters to seek certification.
The fishery comprises all areas within the Falkland Islands Conservation Inner and Outer Zones beyond three miles of the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured and where the water depth is 600 meters or greater. The current total allowable catch for the fishery is 1,200 metric tons annually with the entire quota being held by Consolidated Fisheries Ltd (CFL).
CFL is owned by a number of Falkland Islands fishing companies and individuals. It owns one vessel, the CFL Gambler, and operates exclusively within the Falkland Islands with Patagonian toothfish being the sole targeted species.
“The company has every confidence in the high standard of fisheries management and environmental measures practiced within the Islands and we look forward to achieving international recognition, through MSC certification, of the sustainability principles promoted by us in the local fishing industry, the Falkland Islands Government and the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department,” said Tom Blake, CFL chairman.
