Two large Danish and Swedish fisheries are seeking Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. If successful, they will collectively produce 500,000 metric tonnes of certified sustainable fish. 

The collaborative Danish Pelagic Producers Organization (DPPO) and Danish Fishermen Producers Organisation’s (DFPO) sandeel, sprat and Norway pout fishery entered assessment at the end of March. The Western Baltic spring spawning herring fishery, a joint venture between DPPO, DFPO and the Swedish Pelagic Federation Producers Organization (SPFPO) is also being assessed. The species are fished in the North Sea, Kattegat, Skagerrak and the Western Baltic.  

"We are very happy to enter MSC assessment. If we succeed we will be able to provide the market with sustainable sourced fish oil and fishmeal" says Claus Sparrevohn from the Danish Pelagic Producers Organisation (DPPO)

Meeting growing demand

The entrance of the western Baltic Herring comes as a result of growing demand for MSC certified herring products in Europe. The herring is mainly sold in Denmark and Sweden as well as for the markets in Finland, Germany and Central Europe.

The sandeel, sprat and Norway pout are almost exclusively used for oil and fishmeal for aquaculture. Call for ASC certification in the aquaculture industry is increasing, leading to greater demand for sustainable raw materials. This would be met by MSC certified fishmeal. 

"I’m delighted that these fisheries are seeking MSC certification", says Camiel Derichs, MSC’s European Director. "The assessments will be a good way for the industry, scientists, management authorities and eNGO stakeholders to look into the sustainability of these fisheries and participate in the evaluation by the Conformity Assessment Body’s expert team. We wish DFPO/DPPO and SPFPO all the best during the public assessment process."

Independent certification body, MRAG Americas, will carry out this assessment. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input throughout the process. To comment on the assessment of this fishery, please contact [email protected]