ALBACORE TUNA FLEET BEGINS INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Recently the independent Certifier, Global Trust Certification, an International seafood specialist Certification Body, with offices in Ireland and Canada, has been contracted to perform the assessments of the North Pacific Albacore Tuna Fishery on behalf of clients Canadian Highly Migratory Species Foundation (CHMSF) and the Western Fish Boat Owners Association (WFOA) using troll and jig and troll and jig and pole and line, respectively as fishing methods. The fishing fleets operate within USA EEZ, Canadian EEZ and West of the International Dateline in the North Pacific International Waters.
Global Trust Certification wishes to invite all organizations or individuals with a direct interest in these fisheries to make written comment, provide information or nominate other organizations that should be contacted with respect to the assessment process (in terms of the status of the stock, ecosystem interactions or fishery management practices). Comments should be directed to Dr. Antonio Hervás, I:FQC Fisheries Manager at the following address: antoniohervas@GTcert.com.
The BC-Canadian Albacore Troll-Jig Fishery has long been recognized by North American organizations as a Sustainable Fishery including:
SEAWATCH PROGRAM
Monterey Bay Aquarium
OCEAN WATCH PROGRAM
Vancouver Aquarium
SEACHOICE INITIATIVE
David Suzuki Foundation
Sierra Club of Canada
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
Ecology Action Centre
Living Oceans Society
As we continue in our efforts toward maximizing the sustainability of our fishery the Canadian Highly Migratory Species Foundation (CHMSF) on behalf of the BC-Canadian Fishery and in collaboration with the US Based Western Fish Boat Owners Association (WFOA) is currently under “Full-Assessment” to be considered for Certification as a sustainable fishery under the Internationally RecognizedMARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL-Certification Program.
Details of the internationally recognized program may be found at http://www.msc.org
The CHMSF is proud to identify those fishermen, buyers, processors, and Brand Label Marketers that have joined the CHMSF-Certificate Program to support the Assessment Process. If CHMSF successfully passes this assessment, the following members will be MSC-certified as a sustainable and well managed fishery, and products from this fishery would be eligible for the MSC ecolabel
