A collective of French longline toothfishers has received sustainability certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
The fishermen, part of the Reunion Freezer Longliner Shipowners Association, known in French as the Syndicat des Armements Réunionnais de Palangriers Congélateurs (SARPC), work in the designated Kerguelen French toothfish fishing zones where the southern Indian Ocean meets the Antarctic waters. According to the MSC, the SARPC has earned the certification in part because the fishery abides by measures set up by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), both to prevent harming marine birds and to prevent bycatch.
“This assessment is a perfect example proving that as well as recognizing sustainable fishing, MSC certification is also a catalyst for fisheries’ progression, thanks to the active participation of all those involved,” said Edouard Le Bart, head of the MSC in France. “We are, therefore, especially proud to count the six SARPC fishing companies among the MSC-certified fisheries from now on.”
The fishery includes six separate fishing companies, which collect a total allowable catch of approximately 5,100 metric tons.
