MSC’s Expectations
MSC’s Deputy Director Europe Camiel Derichs and Communications officer Northern Europe Mariska Schuddebeurs will represent the MSC in Hall C, at an eye-catching blue MSC stand. Camiel Derichs says: “MSC exhibited at Nor- Fishing for the first time in 2006. At the time, interest in independent verification of seafood sustainability, and interest in MSC certification, had just started to develop. Not one Norwegian fishery had obtained MSC certification. The contrast with today is substantial. All key commercial species caught by Norwegian fisheries are MSC certified: cod, haddock, saithe, herring, prawns, krill, and mackerel (suspended), this represents 75 per cent of the exported value of wild caught seafood from Norway. More than 140 Seafood processors and exporters in Norway are MSC Chain of Custody certified. The MSC certification of Norwegian Seafood has confirmed Norway’s excellent sustainability credentials and has been an asset in seafood markets, helping seafood processors and exporters to satisfy demands from customers.
"MSC certifications in Norway have also stimulated interactions between the Norwegian seafood industry, scientific experts and management authorities, which resulted in increased research on benthic impacts, development of a recovery plan for coastal cod, and development of a harvest control rule for prawns.
"Given the wide participation and increased uptake of MSC by Norwegian companies, we anticipate that it will be a busy exhibition. We look forward to welcoming all at our booth!”
In 2006, the saithe fisheries were the first Norwegian fisheries to seek MSC certification. From that year on, the number of certified fisheries in Norway has increased, now numbering 9 fisheries in the MSC programme. The most recent certification related to the North East Arctic cold water prawn fishery, certified in March this year. Currently there are over 15.000 MSC labeled products available around the world of which 1800 products are produced in Norway. 140 Of these products are available in the Norwegian retail market.
