email editor
Norwegian fisheries for Atlantic Redfish and Greenland halibut are now MSC certified, the globally recognised standard for sustainability
The Norwegian fisheries for Atlantic (Beaked) Redfish and Greenland halibut are now certified according to the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) globally recognised standard for sustainable fisheries.
Both fisheries are certified by the independent certification company DNV, which has assessed the fishery against MSC’s strict criteria relating to stock situation, ecosystem impact and management practices.
The stocks are per today in relatively good condition and harvested at sustainable levels. Both fisheries operate within a well-established and efficient management regime.
“The fisheries have shown that they meet the strict criteria relating to the stock situation, ecosystem impact and management practices in the MSC’s fisheries standard. The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association has worked thoroughly and effectively towards this result in order to meet the market’s expectations for sustainably managed stocks. We congratulate the Norwegian industry and especially the Fishermen’s Association,” says Gisli Gislason, Program Director for MSC in the North Atlantic.
In addition to safeguarding the fish stocks and the marine environment, the fishery will now be able to offer MSC-certified Greenland halibut and turbot. Around 33,000 tonnes of MSC-certified Norwegian redfish and around 14,000 tonnes of MSC-certified Norwegian halibut will now be available for domestic consumption and for the global export markets. Most of the exports of these Norwegian species today go to Asian markets. At the same time, Central European markets also buy and consume a significant amount from these fisheries.
Atlantic Redfish. Photo: Thorfinnur Sigurgeirsson
Important for sustainability and traceability
“Norway has a long tradition of sustainable fisheries management. We are satisfied to be able to document this through the MSC standard for these fisheries as well,” says Tor Bjørklund Larsen, senior advisor at the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, who is working on the certification on behalf of the Norwegian fishing industry.
He believes it is important that these species are now certified.
“For the global markets, it is increasingly important that we can demonstrate sustainability and traceability in our fisheries management. Therefore, it is also important that Atlantic Redfish and Greenland halibut also get this certificate,” says Bjørklund Larsen.