November 08, 2007
MSC recertifies
Alaska's salmon fishery
SFB Staff (Nov. 7) — The Marine Stewardship Council announced on Monday that Alaska's salmon fishery has been recertified as well managed and sustainable, 33 months after the fishery applied for recertification. Alaska salmon was the first U.S. fishery and third worldwide to receive certification in 2000.
However, the MSC's re-assessment process has been criticized as too lengthy and costly.
"Lessons have been learned from all recent recertifications," said MSC CEO Rupert Howes in a press release, "and the MSC is committed to implementing process improvements in 2008 to promote a more efficient and time-bound process, meeting the same rigorous sustainability standard."
"The recertification process has been long, and at times difficult," added David Bedford, deputy commissioner for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. "However, we expect that the Alaska salmon fishery will benefit from this endorsement."
Denby Lloyd, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, told SeaFood Business earlier this year that the reassessment cost $250,000, funded by state and federal grants.
"It's taking a long time," he said at the time. "We're facing much more scrutiny the second time around."
Scientific Certification Services of Emeryville, Calif., conducted the reassessment of Alaska's salmon fishery. Currently, 360 Alaska salmon products in 21 countries carry the MSC eco-label. Alaska salmon is the most widely marketed MSC-certified fishery, according to the London-based nonprofit.