Independent certifier, Det Norske veritas (DNV) has confirmed the Independent Adjudicator’s decision to uphold an objection to the certification of the Faroese Pelagic Organisation North East Atlantic mackerel fishery to the MSC standard.
An objection was filed by Marine Scotland last year. After an oral hearing and further submissions by the certifier, fishery client and the objectors, Marine Scotland, the objection was remanded by independent adjudicator, Melanie Carter in December 2010 to the certifier, Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
DNV noted: "In accordance with the decision of the independent adjudicator followed by the decision of the experts involved in this assessment, the performance indicator 3.1.1 has been rescored to reflect the issue raised by this objection process.
Based on the fact that the management framework did not deliver an agreed TAC allocation key for all of the coastal states SG 60 is not met for the first scoring issue in performance indicator 3.1.1. The overall results of the assessment therefore concluded that Det Norske Veritas has determined that the fishery should not be certified in accordance to the MSC principles and criteria."
Although the decision is not the first certification decision to be altered as a result of an Objection, this is the first fishery to have a score lowered below the 60 threshold on a performance indicator, resulting in the fishery not reaching the MSC Standard.
Faroese Mackerel Fishery Exits MSC Programme
FAROE ISLANDS - An decision to uphold an objection to the certification of the Faroese Pelagic Organisation North East Atlantic mackerel fishery to the MSC standard, has been confirmed.
