The Haarlem, Netherlands-based Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) has announced that it is holding a public consultation on the benchmarking of the Iceland Responsible Fisheries Foundation's Fisheries Management Standard (IRFM) under Version 2.0 of its Global Benchmark Tool.
The consultation will run for 30 days from 26 November.
The GSSI's global benchmark tool has recognized a number of certification programs, including those run by the Aquacutlure Stewardship Council, Best Aquaculture Practices, Responsible Fisheries Management, and Global Good Agricultural Practice, among others.
The IRFM program first received recognition from GSSI in 2016. The organization is now undergoing benchmarking for its Fisheries Management Standard, launched in 2023.
After the GSSI public consultation closes, a committee of independent experts will review the comments and produce a final recommendation to the organization's steering board. At that point, the public consultation comments will be made available to the public.
GSSI began recognizing sustainability certification schemes under Version 2.0 of the Global Benchmark Tool in 2021.
Founded in 2011, the Iceland Responsible Fisheries Foundation owns and operates the Iceland Responsible Fisheries certification program based on two complementary standards: The Chain of Custody Standard and the Fisheries Management Standard, the latter of which is the program currently seeking GSSI recognition. Seven Icelandic fisheries are currently recognized by the IRFM certification program.
Members of the public can submit comments about the IRFM program to the GSSI Secretariat until 26 December 2024.
