The Canadian offshore northern shrimp and striped shrimp fishery has earned Marine Stewardship Council certification.
The Canadian Association of Prawn Producers (CAPP) and Northern Coalition were the clients, and shrimp products from all 17 offshore shrimp license holders that comprise the two groups are now eligible to bear the MSC eco-label.
The fishery operates within Canada’s Northwest Atlantic EEZ, and three units of certification exist under the certificate, one for northern shrimp harvested in Shrimp Fishing Area 7, one for northern shrimp harvested in Shrimp Fishing Areas 2-6 and one for striped shrimp harvested in Shrimp Fishing Areas 2-4. Fishing by large factory-freezer vessels operating in all three units is by otter trawl with a Nordmore grate system to minimize bycatch. The fishery also has 100 percent independent observer coverage.
“MSC congratulates the Canadian Association of Prawn Producers and Northern Coalition on this milestone,” said Kerry Coughlin, MSC Americas regional director. “MSC-certified shrimp is in demand in many markets around the world and this additional supply with be welcome by fish buyers and consumers alike.”
This is the second Canadian fishery to earn the sustainability certification in as many weeks, with the Nova Scotia shelf shrimp fishery attaining certification on 21 June.
