Collaboration between research and fisheries has made this certification possible for this internationally desired species. The Deep Sea Crab is local to Western Australia and the first of this species to achieve MSC certification.
The Western Australia Deep Sea Crab, also known as the WA Crystal crab (Chaceon albus) is caught 4,000 km off the coast of Western Australia in pots. These crabs are primarily sold to the Asian consumer market both domestically and internationally. With a succulent white flesh and distinctive sweet taste, these crabs are highly prized for their flavour and visual presentation.
“Sustainability is an important aspect to our business and the assurance of the MSC certification confirms our practices are environmentally sustainable to our customers and consumers,” said Glen Bosman, Managing Director of Southern Trading Australia P/L, a major deep sea crab fisher in the region.
“Co-operation between the Department of Fisheries and industry produced the necessary data for certification. Due to the nature of research in the deep sea, collaboration between the licence-holders, the Western Australian Department of Fisheries, and the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council made the certification possible,” noted Dr Kim Walshe, Manager Fisheries Certification Program, Department of Fisheries Western Australia.
