The New England Red Crab Harvesters' Association yesterday announced it has entered the assessment process for certification to the Marine Stewardship Council's standards for sustainable and well-managed fisheries.
"The deep-sea red crab fishing fleet has long been an industry leader in promoting sustainable harvesting practices. This next step in working toward MSC certification will place the deep-sea red crab fishing fleet in the forefront of promoting sustainable resource management," says Jon Williams, the Association's president. "In addition, this certification will help to ensure the economic vitality of the fleet, as it will be able to compete in international markets where sustainable seafood is an industry standard."
The assessment process is estimated to take 9 to 12 months and is being conducted by independent certifier Scientific Certification Systems.
The red crab are harvested by four boats using traps set offshore from Cape Hatteras, N.C., to the U.S.-Canadian border. The fishery brings in about 4.2 million pounds annually.
