Faroese Mackerel Looses MSC Certification

As expected, the Faroese Mackerel fishery has lost its MSC Certification. The move comes following a bitter battle among North Atlantic nations over mackeral quotas.

Independent certifier, Det Norske veritas (DNV) recently confirmed the Independent Adjudicator’s decision to uphold an objection to the certification of the Faroese Pelagic Organisation North East Atlantic mackerel fishery to the MSC standard.

The action is one of a string of events which began when Iceland and the Faroe Islands increased their fishing quotas for Atlantic Mackerel. Norway and Scotland have been critical of increased fishing efforts by the 2 island nations, claiming historical rights to the fish.

Icelandic and Faroese political leaders dispute the opposing views, noting that, as a result of global warming,  mackerel have shifted their ranges northward into their territorial waters. 

Faroese Mackerel Fishery to Lose MSC Certification

The Independent Adjudicator, Melanie Carter has upheld an Objection by Marine Scotland in the assessment of the Faroese Pelagic Organization (FPO) North East Atlantic mackerel fishery.

Following the successful objection, the certifier, Det Norske Veritas, will have to amend its Determination taking account of Ms Carter’s decision that the fishery has not met the MSC Standard.

At the time of the objection, the Faroe Islands had not committed to a Coastal States Agreement to manage the combined catch of all nations fishing for mackerel and Ms Carter concluded that it was unreasonable of DNV to describe the fishery as meeting the minimum level required in relation to Performance Indicator 3.1.1.  This requires a fishery’s management to be ‘consistent with international laws or standards aimed at achieving sustainable fisheries’.

The decision follows an oral hearing and further submissions by the certifier, fishery client and the objectors, Marine Scotland.

source: MSC

FoS Certifies As do Mar Tuna

As do Mar brand of tuna and mackerel has been one of the first in Italy to be certified Friend of the Sea since 2006. Generale Conserve produces AS do MAR and it is the second largest tuna company in Italy.

Generale Conserve has recently moved all of its AS do MAR tuna production site to Olbia, in Italy. The factory has been recognized for its green energy practices. Their production site in Italy uses only energy from renewable sources. Both the production and sales units of General Conserve are certified SA8000 for their high labor and social accountability standards.

General Conserve creates employment for over 500 people in its tuna factory in Italy and mackerel factory in Portugal. It’s one of the few companies in Italy where the tuna arrives whole which places full control of the tuna species and size on Generale Conserve has before they process it.

source: FoS

Mackerel War Update

Despite threats of an EU ban on Icelandic mackerel imports, the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture has announced that Iceland´s mackerel quota in 2011 will be 146,818 tons.

According a Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture press release: "The EU and Norway have now decided their mackerel quotas for next year. In total they amount to 583,882 tons or more than 90% of the recommended total allowable catch. Obviously, these parties have disregarded the legitimate interests of the other coastal States, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, and of Russia. The quota decision of the EU and Norway is in fact a decision that the total mackerel fishery next year will exceed the recommended total allowable catch and these parties bear full responsibility for that"

2010 North Atlantic Mackerel War Continues

BBC Scotland is reporting that Europe is preparing the way for sanctions against Iceland and the Faroe Islands over the so-called "mackerel wars".

Both island nations have announced plans for increased mackerel catches, which could in turn impact Scottish catches of this small but controversial fish. Mackerel is the Scottish fleet's most valuable stock.

According to BBC Scotland, Europe's Fisheries Commissioner is now believed to be pushing for changes in regulations that could result in sanctions against Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

 The latest round of talks, held in December failed to resolve the on-going dispute. The meeting, which included the EU and Norway, ended with the Faroese refusing to sign an agreement to limit mackerel catch levels for 2011.

Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "We were extremely frustrated by last week's breakdown in mackerel talks."

The controversy centers around Atlantic mackerel, which are small pelagic fish that travel in huge schools. Scientists claim that mackerel, in response to rising sea temperatures have shifted their range northward, which brings more fish into Icelandic and Faroese waters.

Meanwhile Scottish and other European fishermen feel that increased fishing quotas could devastate mackerel stocks, impacting the entire region.