One of the Swedish purse seiners that participates in the fishery now up for MSC assessment. (Photo: Stock File/MSC)

MSC to assess Swedish mackerel fishery

SWEDEN
Friday, April 09, 2010, 00:20 (GMT + 9)

The Sveriges Pelagiska Producent Organisation (Swedish Pelagic Producers Organisation or SPPO) will have its North East Atlantic mackerel fishery subjected to full assessment under the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) certification programme.  

The fishery comprises 29 purse seine and pelagic trawl vessels and operates from September to December. Its products are sold primarily on the Danish, Norwegian and UK markets.  Fishing rights are issued as individual quotas but fishing in groups of up to 10 vessels is allowed and common practice.

Björn Lindblad from the SPPO commented: “The majority of the Swedish mackerel quota and all large-scale Swedish mackerel fisheries are now in MSC full assessment. This is a clear expression of the Swedish fishermen taking a long-term perspective to safeguard fish stocks for the future generations. The strong demand for MSC-certified mackerel in the market place is a bonus. Sustainability, market demand and a fishing industry with a common goal – that feels good!”

Camiel Derichs, MSC Manager for Northern Europe, adds: “This announcement by SPPO to enter full assessment against the MSC standard for their mackerel fishery is yet another demonstration of how seriously Swedish fishermen take sustainability. If certified SPPO will be able to credibly demonstrate the sustainability of their mackerel fishery, and I’m confident that this would be well received by their Swedish home market as well as abroad. For the MSC, the Swedish sustainability drive is reason to scale up activities in Sweden significantly in the years to come.”

The assessment will be carried out by independent certifier Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

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