Kutterfisch-Zentrale, a German fishery based in Cuxhaven, has been awarded Marine Stewardship Certification for its North Sea saithe catch.
The fishery is one of the biggest producers and processors of North Sea fish in Germany. It catches and processes about 10,800 metric tons (MT) annually. The fishery was first certified in 2008, making it the first German fishery to receive the certification.
Among other things, the action plan for the saithe fishery addressed the issue of cod bycatch. The saithe fishery has an official cod quota of 10 percent of its total catch, which it is legally allowed to land and sell. However, the conditions attached to the certification required them to reduce their cod bycatch to below 5 percent, since the cod stock in the North Sea was low at the time.
“The certifier made us take this condition seriously and we complied with it — thanks to modifications to our fishing gear,” said Kai-Arne Schmidt, Kutterfisch-Zentrale managing director.
Kutterfisch-Zentrale uses semi-pelagic bottom trawls, which are lighter than conventional bottom trawls and do not touch the sea bed as often. As well as lowering the impact on the sea bed, the new nets are also good for the cod. In addition, very large mesh sizes at the mouth of the net provide escape openings for the cod.
“Thanks to the conditions that certifiers impose, fisheries have been able to bring about some measurable and important improvements, for example bigger stock sizes, lower bycatches and protected areas. We warmly congratulate Kutterfisch-Zentrale on having been awarded an unconditional MSC certificate,” said Marnie Bammert, MSC Europe deputy director.
