News / Eco label suspended
THE MARINE Stewardship Council certification for the Faroese Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery has been suspended.
The move by the MSC was welcomed by Scottish pelagic fishermen who are also pressing Europe to finally implement trade sanctions against the Faroe Islands.
The MSC said the Faroese allocation of an independent quota for Atlanto-Scandian herring three times larger than last year’s quota to 105,000 tonnes meant that the fishery is now operating under a “controversial, unilateral exemption from an international agreement.”
The Faroese Pelagic Organisation has now 90 days to come up with a plan to address the issue.
Failing that the eco-label will be withdrawn from the country’s Atlanto-Scandian fishery.
Camiel Derichs of the MSC said: “Setting a very large quota outside the management plan, in a situation where the stock is decreasing is not in line with the MSC standard for well-managed and sustainable fishing.
“The stock situation has decreased for natural reasons over recent years and this requires all coastal states to take their responsibility to work together to turn the trend upwards.
“Now is the time to act to secure a sustainable future for the whole of the Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery. I urge all stakeholders involved to work together for the common good.”
Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said: “The fact that an independent body deems the actions of the Faroese as being unsustainable and irresponsible should in itself send a clear message that their move to massively increase their herring quota has no rational justification whatsoever, and that such behaviour will not be tolerated by the responsible international fishing community.
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