French saithe fishery enters MSC assessment

The Euronor fleet saithe fishery, based in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, today announced it is seeking Marine Stewardship Council certification.

Six Euronor fishing vessels target saithe, which comes mainly from the northern North Sea stock and also the Norwegian Sea. The vessels make up nearly the entire French saithe fleet, representing more than 90 percent of the French quota."Our move toward MSC certification is the result of a consultation that started three years ago," said Patrice Leduc, Euronor president.

"We considered several certification programs and seafood eco-labels and we decided to opt for MSC for a number of reasons, including its scientifically robust approach and its international recognition. Moreover, MSC is becoming a necessity in the highly competitive markets in which we operate."

MacAlister Elliott and Partners will be the third-party certifier to assess the fish stocks, measure the impact of the fishery on the ecosystem and study its management system.  It is the second French fishery to enter the MSC program. Earlier this month, the MSC announced Southern Brittany's purse seine sardine fishery entered into full assessment.

Euronor was jointly set up in January 2006 by two fishing vessles owners of Boulogne sur Mer, the Société Boulonnaise d'Armement Le Garrec and Nord Pêcheries.

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