Russian company Bratsk Fish Ltd, operating in Bratsk reservoir in the Irkutsk region of Russia, in cooperation with their partner Bernard Wolf SA from Switzerland, has been certified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard. The independent assessment was carried out by Marine Certification - the first Russian certifier to carry out MSC fishery assessments.

Fish from the small scale Bratsk Reservoir perch fishery can now be sold with the blue MSC ecolabel, indicating it comes from a sustainable, well-managed source. Achieving MSC certification brings global recognition to this fishery’s efforts, and will also help safeguard seafood supplies for the future.

A highly valued species in European markets

This is the second freshwater perch fishery certified in Russia. The first one is located at Iriklia reservoir in Orenburg region.

Camiel Derichs, MSC’s Regional Director Europe, says: "Perch is highly valued in high-end seafood markets in Europe, particularly in Switzerland. We look forward to seeing the MSC ecolabelled products from this fishery on the market and wish the fishermen and processors in Russia experience benefits from the certification”.

Significant step for Russia's small fishing enterprises

Bratsk Fish Ltd operates in small teams using single small engined boats harvesting fish from stationary trap nets set close to the shore. It includes an association of 16 fishers operating in the Bratsk Reservoir. The catch volume is about 600 tons per year.

Bratsk Fish ltd deliver their catch to a processing factory near the city of Bratsk. From there, Bratsk Fish Ltd. freezes and sells frozen whole fish to ZAO Fishery Enterprise in St. Petersburg, Russia. ZAO filets the fish and sends them to Bernard Wolf SA in Switzerland, which distributes perch filets to European markets. Bratsk Fish Ltd. also filets some perch in Bratsk for the local market along with roach and several other species.

Victor Glyzin, General  director of Bratsk Fish Ltd says: “We proud to get MSC certificate and join a leading group of more than 280 MSC certified fisheries around the world that are helping to ensure healthy marine and freshwater ecosystems for the future. We also hope that our activity will become a good example for the development of other small fishery in our region”.