A Scottish fishery has announced recertification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), marking the first Scottish fishery to ever get recertified.
The Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group (SPSG)’s North Sea herring fishery received the recertification this week, according to a statement from the SPSG.
“This recertification today is an important milestone for the North Sea herring fishery and is a clear demonstration of SPSG’s sustainability credentials and investment in the MSC program,” said John Goodlad, chairman of the SPSG.
The fishery first got its certification in 2008, and is expected to catch 44,000 metric tons of North Sea herring this year. The MSC recertification means all of it may continue to bear the MSC eco-label for sustainability.
“Through the SPSG’s commitment, the fishery has made some significant improvements, with corresponding improvements in their assessment scores,” said MSC CEO Rupert Howes. “Their support for new research and a stock rebuilding program, for example, have delivered a herring stock that is healthy and well above target levels.”
