Offshore Argentinian red shrimp earns MSC sustainability certification, marking progress for Argentina’s fishery, boosting confidence in trade
Offshore Fishery Achieves MSC Certification
Argentina has reached a major sustainability milestone with the offshore component of its Argentinian red shrimp fishery securing certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Standard.
This recognition confirms its compliance with the highest global benchmarks for environmentally responsible fisheries management.
Builds on 2025 Onshore Certification
The achievement follows the March 2025 certification of the onshore fishery, advancing the sector toward full, comprehensive sustainability across the entire supply chain. The offshore segment is the largest in the industry and is represented by 34 companies working collectively to meet MSC requirements.
A Key Resource With Strong Production
The red shrimp season typically begins between April and May and runs through September or October. In 2024, the fleet landed more than 139,000 tonnes, highlighting the species’ economic importance both domestically and internationally. Much of the offshore catch is frozen at sea immediately after harvesting, ensuring premium quality and strong market demand.
Meeting Global Market Expectations
With MSC certification, the offshore fishery is better positioned to supply markets that increasingly require verifiable sustainability credentials. Buyers and consumers are placing growing pressure on producers to demonstrate that stocks are healthy and ecosystems are protected.
Rigorous Assessment and Industry Collaboration
MSC certification requires an independent and exhaustive evaluation of stock status, environmental impact, and management effectiveness. Only fisheries that demonstrate healthy populations, minimized ecological impacts, and reliable control and improvement systems achieve approval.
This certification acknowledges the sustained collaboration between companies, regulators, and stakeholders, as well as the sector’s ability to overcome technical and operational challenges during the assessment process.
Industry Leaders Welcome the Certification
“The certification of offshore Argentine red shrimp is the result of years of commitment and continuous improvement by the sector. This progress not only strengthens Argentina’s position in international seafood markets but also shows that it is possible to combine productivity, quality, and long-term sustainability,” said Cristian Vallejos, MSC Program Director for Latin America.
A Strategic Resource for the Future
With this achievement, Argentinian red shrimp reinforces its status as a strategic resource for the country and a regional reference point for sustainable fishing. The certification enhances confidence among international markets while contributing to the long-term health of marine ecosystems for future generations.
