The Australian Heard and McDonald Islands Patagonian toothfish fishery is now Marine Stewardship Council certified.
The fishery operates in sub-Antarctic waters within the Australian EEZ around the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Plateau. It is managed by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
The certification covers the two longline vessels and one trawl operated by Austral Fisheries and Australian Longline, responsible for landing 2,459 metric tons of toothfish in 2010 and also covers Better Choice Seafoods, an additional quota owner.
Catch levels are set at 2,730 metric tons annually and assessments estimate the stock levels at about 63 percent of the original biomass — well above the target level of 50 percent.
“It is recognition of the collaborative work done by Australian government, industry, conservation groups and CCAMLR in ensuring the fishery is well managed and sustainable,” said David Carter, Austral Fisheries CEO. “This collaborative working has led to the elimination of illegal fishing in the fishery, strict management measures being put in place to limit the number of vessels allowed to operate and the setting of target species and bycatch limits and seasonal closures. They have also led to the establishment of one of the world’s largest marine protected areas to further protect biodiversity in the area.”
