The Iceland Responsible Fisheries Management (IRFM) certification program has been recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI), becoming the second seafood certification scheme to be benchmarked against GSSI’s Global Benchmark Tool and to achieve recognition this year.
The Alaska Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification program was recognized in July.
IRFM Standard 2.0 is in alignment with all 143 essential components of the GSSI Global Benchmark Tool, which consists of performance areas related to scheme governance, operational management and applied wild-capture fisheries audit standards. The essential components are based on the FAO Guidelines for the Ecolabeling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries as well as the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
Hrefna Karlsdottir, manager at Iceland Responsible Fisheries Foundation (IRFF), said participation in the GSSI process had been a “valuable journey” and gave the foundation the opportunity to look at its certification program in a critical way.
“We expect that this tool, which honors internationally adopted principles and guidelines, will level the playing field and promote order in the market for seafood,” she said.
GSSI is a global platform and partnership of seafood companies, NGOs, experts, governmental and intergovernmental organizations. GSSI partners have committed to recognize all GSSI recognized certification schemes as acceptable when sourcing for certified seafood. Partners include Ahold Delhaize, Metro Group, Morrisons, High Liner Foods, and Trident.
