Liancheng now joins a leading group of more than 270 MSC certified fisheries that are helping to ensure healthy marine ecosystems for the future. Achieving MSC certification brings global recognition to this fishery’s efforts, and will also help safeguard seafood supplies for the future.
Liancheng operates a longline tuna fishery with 65 vessels and produces more than 4000 tonnes of albacore tuna per annum.
“Sustainability is ingrained in SZLC’s strategic plans. We recognize the importance of sustainable, traceable tuna for the global seafood market,” Mr Samul Chou, president of SZLC, noted.
“We are proud to be China’s first longline tuna fishery to achieve MSC certification. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, it is important that we are able to prove that tuna from our fishery is sustainable. We will continue to work hard to improve our internal management system in order to remain certified. We hope to continue to support the rest of China’s sustainable seafood movement as it embarks on this sustainability journey,” Mr Chou added
Established in 2002, Liancheng operates in the middle and west Pacific Ocean.
“The MSC is proud to welcome Liancheng into our program,” said Nicolas Guichoux, Global Commercial Director for the MSC.
“This certification demonstrates real progress by the management and staff of Liancheng. As the first MSC certified Chinese longline fishery, Liancheng now joins an elite group of fisheries working hard to protect our marine ecosystems and protecting seafood supplies for this and future generations. We will continue to support Liancheng in their quest to help transform the Chinese seafood industry. We are proud to see Liancheng join the 270 MSC certified fisheries that are helping to protect the oceans for the future,” Mr Guichoux added.
A team of independent auditors and marine scientists examined the fishery’s impact on the marine ecosystem as well as the effectiveness of its management in ensuring that the environment is protected for the future.
The celebration of the first MSC certified Chinese longline fishery was held one day before the World’s 2nd largest seafood event – the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo 2015. Chinese government representatives, seafood industry experts, NGOs and the media attended the award ceremony in Qingdao, China.
