Cofradia de Pescadores San Martino de Bueu has been awarded Marine Stewardship Council certification for its artisanal razor clam fishery. This is the first Spanish shellfish fishery and the world’s first diver-caught razor clam fishery to be certified.
The razor clams are hand-caught by divers in the Ria de Pontevedra and one kilogram of the clams usually consists on about 40 units. Cofradia de Pescadores San Martino de Bueu is made up of nine divers and seven boats.
The estuary is divided into seven fishing areas rotated regularly according to stock status in order to ensure resources are maintained at sustainable levels. The area is monitored and controlled daily. The certificate also extends to the other fishermen associations in the area totaling 39 fishermen and 26 boats.
“Cofradía de Bueu became interested in the MSC program long before we opened our offices in Spain. They are marvelous ambassadors for the program and an example of motivation and long-term vision. The road they have taken will help other small-scale fisheries to join the program in the future and will spread word of the excellent practices being used by the seafood sector in Galicia,” said Laura Rodriguez, MSC Spain and Portugal country manager.
