Two Canadian fisheries that already had sustainability certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) have combined into a single fishery to gain MSC re-certification.
The fisheries, the Gulf of St. Lawrence northern shrimp and the Gulf of St. Lawrence northern shrimp trawl Esquiman Channel fisheries, cover four shrimp fishing zones and include member companies in Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.
"It is encouraging to see one of the longest running MSC certifications in Canada renewed by the shrimp industry based in provinces surrounding the Gulf of St. Lawrence," said Jay Lugar, MSC fishery outreach manager in Canada. "After vessels of this combined fishery start their annual return to the traditional fishing grounds for shrimp, buyers in Canada, the U.S. and Europe will have new supply to use from a sustainable and well-managed fishery that meets the MSC global standard."
Fisheries officials estimate substantial savings over the next through years via distribution of the cost of assessment and maintaining MSC certification.
"The combined efforts of the member associations and companies involved has improved efficiencies and enabled shared benefits including distribution of cost," said Jean-Paul Gagné, managing director with Association Québécoise de l'Industrie de la Pêche, one of the member companies.
