Image: WWF / FIS

Dorado - Common Dolphinfish Longline Fishery Accelerates Steps to Achieve MSC Certification

ECUADOR
Friday, May 24, 2024, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

The Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries (MPCEIP), through Vice Minister María Rafaela Hurtado Espinoza, highlighted the progress made by the Manta Shipowners Fishing Production Association (ASOAMAN), in its objective of implementing the Responsible Longline Dorado - common dolphinfish (Coryphaenahippurus) Fishery Improvement (FIP-DPR).

Source: Fishery Progress

After two and a half years, the ASOAMAN FIP obtained a B rating (good progress), which allows it to advance to a second phase to implement a broader work plan and, in the near future, opt for certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

“We welcome the active involvement of the fishing sector in this type of projects that are aligned with the country's policies to take advantage of resources responsibly, with an ecosystem approach and with the opening to new markets,” said Vice Minister Hurtado.

During this time of implementation of the Responsible Longline Dorado - common dolphinfish FIP, ASOAMAN has contributed to better management of dorado in various areas: scientific knowledge of the resource at the national and regional level, implementation of good practices, biological monitoring in port, and others. These advances were feasible thanks to collaboration with the State and its institutions; as well as with the private sector, academia and non-governmental and international cooperation organizations, such as the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), which currently provides support through the implementation of the Por la Pesca project, financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Walton Family Foundation.

The fleet of the Manta Shipowners Fishing Production Association (ASOAMAN) is made up of 78 longline mother vessels that represent around 35% of this fleet that is dedicated to capturing dorado - common dolphinfishin Ecuador and that contains an important artisanal component. A comprehensive Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) seeks to achieve certification to the MSC sustainable fisheries standard.

The MSC fisheries standard is used to determine whether a fishery is being well managed and sustainable; reflects the most current and internationally accepted knowledge in the field of science and fisheries management; Furthermore, it ensures the mitigation or reduction of the impacts of fisheries on marine biodiversity and its ecosystems.

Source: Ministerio de Producción Comercio Exterior Inversiones y Pesca de Ecuador  (Translated from the original in Spanish)

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