The Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group (SPSG) is applying its Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery for Marine Stewardship Council certification as a well managed and sustainable fishery.
If successful, the herring will carry the MSC eco-label by early 2010.
This is the third time the SPSG has applied for MSC certification. The group's mackerel fishery and North Sea herring fishery are already certified.
SPSG pelagic trawlers catch herring between Norway and Greenland and near Svalbard in the Arctic Circle. SPSG vessels harvest 1.4 percent of the 23,430-metric-ton U.K. quota for the Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery.
"The Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery has become increasingly important to the Scottish pelagic industry in recent years as healthy stock has led to quota increases," said Derek Duthie, SPSG secretary. "As one of our top three fisheries, it is important that Atlanto-Scandian herring carries the same sustainability standard as mackerel and North Sea herring, and this decision demonstrates our continued commitment to sustainable fishing."
Independent certifier Food Certification International will conduct the 10-month assessment.
April 2, 2009
