This follows independent assessment against the MSCs rigorous environmental standard. Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) from members of the client group, Maldives Seafood Processors and Exporters Association (MSPEA), is now eligible to be marketed with the MSCs globally recognised ecolabel. The coveted blue label provides consumers with assurance that the product is traceable back to a certified sustainable source.
Regional management of tuna in the Indian Ocean falls under the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). Maldives has been an active participant in the IOTCs scientific working parties and became a full member in July 2011. Within the Maldives EEZ fisheries governance is based around the Fisheries Law of the Maldives (No. 5/1987) and management is the responsibility of the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture.
Pole-and-line fishing is a centuries-old practice in the Maldives and the fishery is often heralded as a good example of highly selective and low impact fishing. Since entering MSC assessment in July 2009 the Maldives has proposed and advocated for resolutions on the Precautionary Approach (PA) and the establishment of reference points for tuna stocks, playing an integral role in the adoption by the IOTC of Resolution 12/01 on the PA and Recommendation 12/14 on interim target and limit reference points for the major IOTC species.
Certification of this fishery constitutes an example of the benefits of improved governance focused on sustainability. The recent formal adoption of the PA by IOTC member States, led by Maldives, was a clear step towards strengthening management of tuna in the Indian Ocean. This is a positive incentive for the IOTC members to continue tackling the challenges that still remain, said Executive Secretary of IOTC, Mr Alejandro Anganuzzi.
In addition the Maldives introduced a shark fishing and export ban, which came into effect in July 2010, and announced at Rio +20 that the entire country would become a biosphere reserve within the next five years, allowing only sustainable fishing practices.
Maldivians take pride in their skipjack pole-and-line fishery a sustainable fishery that has thrived for over a millennium by catching tuna one by one. Maldivians are grateful and delighted that at last the world has recognised, through open and transparent scrutiny, the sustainable nature of our fishery a fact that we have always believed. We thank all stakeholders, the MSC and our certifier for their support, said Minister of State for Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan.
Supporting global retail commitments
Historically, Maldives economy was entirely dependent on fisheries and other marine products and fishing is still the second most important economic sector today, after tourism. Fishing and related activities employ around 30 per cent of the countrys workforce, contributing over 15 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and, in recent years, Maldives skipjack catches have made up approximately 90,000 tonnes of their pole-and-line fishery. Products are canned or put into pouches for export, mainly to Europe where many retail and food service sector companies have made strong commitments to source certified sustainable and fully traceable seafood choices. With growing demand and increasing consumer recognition of the MSC label in these strategically important markets it is anticipated that this fishery will benefit significantly from its newfound status.
Reflecting on the significance of this iconic fisherys certification, Rupert Howes, MSCs CEO, said, Assessment against the MSCs sustainability standard is an incredibly rigorous process and Id personally like to congratulate the MSPEA and the Government of Maldives, as well as the pole-and-line fishers themselves on the successful outcome of the assessment and for choosing the MSC programme to demonstrate the sustainability of this important fishery. . This assessment also further demonstrates the applicability and relevance of the MSCs global programme for the developing world and I very much hope that it will encourage other developing world fisheries to enter into assessment. I wish them every success in the market.
