Back in 2008 the Norwegian herring fisheries entered the MSC full assessment process. One year later the fisheries were successfully certified to the MSC standard for sustainable fishing. With the re-assessment, which will be carried out by independent certifier Det Norske Veritas (DNV), the fishery is seeking its second five-year MSC certification.
Norges Fiskarlag (The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association) is the new client for the recertification process.
Herring Fisheries Well and Sustainable
Jan Birger Jørgensen, Assistant secretary general of Norges Fiskarlag says: “The Norwegian fishing industry finds it natural to go for a re-assessment under the MSC for our herring fisheries. This will hopefully continue the picture of our herring fisheries to the market, as well and sustainable managed fisheries. We therefore look forward to fruitful cooperation with MSC”.
MSC ‘thrilled’
Camiel Derichs, MSC Deputy Director Europe says: “I am thrilled to welcome the Norway North Sea and Skagerrak herring fishery and the Norway Spring Spawning herring fishery in the reassessment process. Recertification, if granted, will continue to equip the industry with a credible tool to independently demonstrate sustainability to markets which ask for a credible verification of sustainability. These fisheries are key suppliers of raw material for European markets asking for MSC certified herring and by being MSC-certified, Norwegian pelagic fisheries increase the market potential for Norwegian herring, which adds value to the pelagic industry in Norway.”
