Following its five-yearly Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment, the South Georgia Patagonian toothfish longline fishery has, for the third time, been certified as a sustainable and wellmanaged fishery. MSC is the world’s leading certification and ecolabel program for wild-caught environmentally sustainable seafood.
Originally certified in 2004, the South Georgia Patagonian toothfish fishery was recertified in 2009 and has just completed its second re-assessment. Once again there are no conditions on the certification and the fishery scored an average of 96 out of 100 against the three MSC principles, making it one of the world’s highest scoring fisheries assessed against MSC standards.
Building on this success, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), who manage the fishery, has pledged a continued commitment to further improving the fishery. This will include an extensive programme of scientific work in order to support the management of the fishery over the next 5 years.
The fishery is managed by GSGSSI with scientific advice and support from the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas) and from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Dr Martin Collins OBE, Chief Executive of the GSGSSI says: “We are delighted that the toothfish fishery has been recertified and the excellent scores attained reflect the efforts made by the GSGSSI, its scientific consultants and fishing industry to ensure the fishery is managed sustainably. South Georgia is a unique environment and the GSGSSI will continue in its efforts to improve all aspects of the fishery.”
Foreign Office Minister, James Duddridge MP said: "I am delighted that the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands have, once again, demonstrated their world-class standards in managing the toothfish fishery. Marine Stewardship Council recertification recognises the UK’s commitment to high environmental standards, with this unique Overseas Territory continues to achieve with its exemplary management of sustainable fisheries and marine protection.”
Toby Middleton, MSC Senior Country Manager adds: “The South Georgia toothfish fishery has excelled in its second re-certification, improving scores on all fronts. It is great to see the GSGSSI commit to further improvements in the fishery, which has already made such great strides forward. By leading the way in toothfish certification, the South Georgia toothfish fishery has created a market for certified sustainable toothfish that is now – deservedly – thriving.”
Dr Chris Darby, Senior Fisheries Science Advisor at Cefas commented: “The management of the South Georgia toothfish fishery has a strong underlying scientific basis which has been clearly recognized by the MSC in this accreditation score. This has been achieved through close collaboration between the fishermen, observers, scientists and the South Georgia fisheries staff. It South Georgia Toothfish MSC Certification provides an outstanding role model for the development of sustainably managed fisheries and Cefas is committed to ensuring that future research sustains the excellent assessment announced today.”
Dr Mark Belchier of the British Antarctic Survey said: "The MSC re-certification is a strong endorsement of the value of long-term scientific research for underpinning policy and decisions that lead to responsible management of fisheries. The waters around South Georgia are a key source of food for globally important colonies of albatross and petrels. Collaboration between BAS/NERC scientists, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands and fisheries managers to mitigate and reduce seabird mortality in fisheries by-catch is without doubt a hugely important factor in achieving the Marine Stewardship Council's re-certification. This is very welcome signal of the continued commitment to conservation of marine life in one of the world's most valued natural ecosystems."
Source: Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI)
