The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) board on Thursday deterred a vote determining whether it will assume client responsibilities for Marine Stewardship Council assessment and certification of Alaska’s salmon fishery.
The board will take up the matter again at its 2 to 3 March meeting, ASMI spokeswoman Laura Fleming confirmed on Friday.
At Thursday’s meeting, MSC Deputy CEO Chris Ninnes addressed a number of clarifications and concerns the board raised, including issues of equitable cost sharing and co-branding.
On 2 October, the board voted provisionally to become the client, replacing the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, which sponsored the initial certification in September 2000 and recertification in November 2007. The fishery’s certification is valid through 2012.
ADF&G announced last year it would no longer serve as the client — it is the only fishery management body serving as an MSC client and therefore does not benefit from the market penetration MSC-labeled seafood products, ADF&G argued. The MSC approves of the switch.
Late last month, United Fishermen of Alaska threw its support behind ASMI becoming the client, contingent on six conditions.
