More NZ Fisheries head for Sustainability Certification

Press Release by the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council, 6 May 2009.

"New Zealand's seafood industry is taking a bold step by putting a third of their fisheries into our programme and seeking MSC independent evaluation. This is a model for the world," said Mr Will Martin, Chairperson of the Marine Stewardship Council, when he announced five New Zealand Fisheries entering its certification process at the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council's conference in Wellington today.

"The certification process is the commitment to be tested against a world-class standard for sustainable fishing practices and excellence in fishery management. This will encourage other fisheries to adopt the well-managed fishery practices that New Zealand is renowned for," said Mr Martin.

Five more New Zealand fisheries are joining an internationally recognised environmental certification process for wild capture fisheries which rewards sustainability and good management practices.

Owen Symmans, Chief Executive of the Seafood Industry Council says the New Zealand seafood industry is committed to sustainability.

"The New Zealand Quota Management System is internationally recognised for providing sustainable management of our fisheries. The Marine Stewardship Council assessment provides third-party verification.

"New Zealand seafood products are among the best in the world based on sustainable management practices and quality. Our Quota Management System is the foundation to our commitment for sustainability and I congratulate those within our industry seeking an international standard that showcases our safe and responsible management of our seafood resource."

Hake, ling, southern blue whiting, southern scallop and troll-caught albacore tuna fisheries will be joining the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Programme to seek third-party certification. New Zealand's Hoki fishery is the world's fisheries certification pioneer and has MSC certification. The Ross Sea toothfish fishery is currently being assessed and is nearing completion of the MSC certification process.

"These fisheries, together with the New Zealand fisheries already in the MSC programme constitute an impressive and diverse share of the nation's annual seafood production and mean a third of New Zealand's annual landed catch will be either MSC certified or under evaluation for certification," Mr Martin said.

"MSC certification is not easily won. Its standards are robust and assessment is intensive, carried out by accredited, third-party certifiers."

The certification process is an intensive and often expensive independent review however the MSC assessments will determine if current management systems are providing for long-term sustainability. If improvements are needed then each of these fisheries is prepared and resourced to develop and implement further management measures in order to provide certainty for the resource, the environment, for harvesters, suppliers and for customers.