The Pelagic Freezer-Trawler Association’s (PFA) Atlanto Scandian herring fishery on Tuesday obtained Marine Stewardship Council certification as sustainable and well-managed, the third PFA fishery to do so.
The PFA’s North East Atlantic mackerel fishery was the 50th fishery worldwide to earn MSC certification in July 2009, and the association’s North Sea herring fishery received MSC certification in May 2006.
The PFA’s Atlanto Scandian herring fishery comprises 26 freezer-trawlers owned by 10 companies from six European countries. The vessels use pelagic midwater trawls and carry a variety of nets designed to optimize selectivity and harvesting efficiency.
The 41,000 metric tons of Atlanto Scandian herring caught annually is now eligible to display the MSC eco-label.
The MSC assessment took only eight months, and Moody Marine served as the third-party certifier.
“I am very pleased that another of our important fisheries has been certified against the MSC principles and criteria,” said PFA President Gerard van Balsfoort. “It fits perfectly in our long-term objective to have a responsible and economically viable fishing operation. With this third MSC certificate we are again able to give independent and objective evidence of our sustainability.”
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