The New Zealand fishery that produces Hoki, one of the country’s most popular whitefish, has received certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as a sustainable fishery for a third time, one of the world’s first fisheries to do so.
“Seeking and achieving MSC certification for a third time shows the MSC is delivering solid benefits to the fishery,” said Patrick Caleo, MSC’s manager of Australia and New Zealand. “Thanks to the effective management of the fishery by the [New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries] and fishing industry itself, this fishery has clearly demonstrated significant levels of stock recovery.”
The MSC issued the certification after an assessment from a third party, based on standards set by the MSC for measuring sustainable fishing practices.
“The New Zealand Hoki fishery was just the third fishery in the world to gain MSC certification back in 2001,” said George Clement, CEO of the Deepwater Group, which represents the Hoki quota owners. “We then achieved certification again in 2007 and now for the third time in 2012. This is testament to the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement and to the close collaborative partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries.”
Hoki is New Zealand’s third highest earning fish species, earning more than NZD 180 million (USD 147.6 million, EUR 114.1 million) last year.
