Rupert Howes, executive director of the Marine Stewardship Council, expressed confidence on Wednesday that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) will find clients to pursue MSC recertification of the Alaska salmon fishery when its certification lapses in 2012.
In July 2008, ADF&G asked the London-based nonprofit whether it could be replaced as the client for the Alaska salmon fishery, which was originally certified as sustainable in 2000 and recertified in November 2007.
ADF&G is the only fishery management agency serving as an MSC client and therefore does not benefit from the market penetration MSC-labeled seafood products enjoy.
At the European Seafood Exposition yesterday, Howes said the building blocks are in place to replace ADF&G as the client for the Alaska salmon fishery.
"The certification needs to get a new client so a 2009 audit can happen. For now, it's good through October 2009," said Howes. "We're now actively working with the Alaska salmon industry to facilitate the formation of a new client group. And I remain confident that we will get to that point. There's a huge interest [among Europe seafood buyers] of maintaining MSC-certified Alaska salmon supplies.
"More importantly, the 2008 audit has been closed," Howes continued. "ADF&G has agreed on an action plan on the recertification and has confirmed that it will work with a new client to take the certificate forward. So all the building blocks are there. We remain confident, and we're working with the industry to find a solution."
