News About SCS

Australian Blue Grenadier Gets the Blue Tick

Australia’s sweet white fish, Blue Grenadier, has achieved the world’s highest standard for sustainable fishing, with Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. Tipping the scales of MSC certified options in Australia and joining the growing number of Australian fisheries that are achieving this world standard.

Les Scott, Managing Director of the Petuna Sealord Deepwater Fisheries (PSDF) said he is pleased that their catch of the Australian Blue Grenadier has verified its sustainability credentials.

“Many fisheries talk about sustainability but we can prove that our Blue Grenadier operations meet the highest scientific standards available. We’ve been through an 18 month independent assessment process, and had every aspect of our midwater and demersal trawl operation examined,” said Mr Scott.

“We’re not just saying we’re sustainable, we’ve got the blue tick to prove it”.

SCS Global Services (SCS), a third-party certification body accredited to the MSC standard, conducted a rigorous assessment of the fishery. “We are pleased to confirm that the Australian Blue Grenadier Fishery complies with all necessary requirements under the MSC standard,” said Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, Executive Vice President of SCS.

“The Winter spawning Blue Grenadier Fishery has a strong local market in Australia,” said Dr. Sabine Daume, Regional Director of Sustainable Seafood for SCS Australia. “Consumers can be certain that the Blue Grenadier stock is in great shape, indicated by a particularly strong recruitment in recent years.”

Blue Grenadier now joins the ranks of the 10% of the world’s wild-captures fisheries that are MSC certified. MSC’s global standard for sustainable fishing is based on three core principles:

  1. Healthy population of fish
  2. Reduced impact on marine ecosystems
  3. Effective management systems of the fishery

Asia Pacific Director of MSC, Patrick Caleo, said this achievement signals the growing demand for certification of fisheries in Australia.

“This is the fastest growing region in the world for fisheries entering the MSC program. And this key commercial fishery for Australia will bring more options to Australians for locally caught and globally certified seafood,” said Mr Caleo.

“It’s a delicious and versatile white fish which Australians enjoy every day with chips, salad, on the BBQ and anytime they feel like delicious seafood that’s great for the ocean.”

With Petuna Sealord holding 55% of the Australian quota for Blue Grenadier, the choices for certified sustainable seafood are abundant and growing in Australia.

“More than half our wild-caught prawns are also MSC certified in Australia and more fisheries are entering the MSC program to scientifically verify their sustainability,” said Mr Caleo.

MSC certified fisheries are continually monitored and must complete annual surveillance audits as well as being reassessed every 5 years. More than 570 improvements to fishing practises and environmental management have been identified with fisheries in the MSC program.

Contacts:
MSC Communications and marketing manager, Charlotte Connell +61 422 296 192
[email protected]
www.msc.org

SCS Media Contact

Kathryn Mullins

Marketing Coordinator, Natural Resources
510.452.6387
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