The Australian Northern Prawn Fishery (NFP) has achieved the fishery’s first recertification to the MSC Fishery Standard. The fishery, originally certified in 2012 was granted recertification after independent assessment by MRAG Americas, just in time for NPF prawns to sizzle on the BBQ for Australia Day celebrations.

“Support Australian fishers doing the right thing this long weekend, by choosing prawns with the blue MSC fish tick of approval. Prawns from the NPF are available at Coles and Woolworth’s seafood deli counters and from your seafood retailers” says Anne Gabriel, Program Director for MSC Oceania.   

“As Aussies, we take pride in our beautiful oceans and coastlines, abundant with delicious seafood. The forethought and commitment of fisheries like the NPF ensures we can have seafood and healthy oceans for the next generation, stamping environmental stewardship on a global scale. With over 50% of Australian prawns now MSC certified it is easier than ever to do your bit for the oceans by just firing up the BBQ with the right choice.”

“We’re proud to be considered leaders in the Australian seafood industry,” says Annie Jarrett, CEO of the Northern Prawn Fishery Industry Pty Ltd, and 2017 inductee into the Australian Seafood Industry Hall of Fame.

“Our journey towards sustainability started as far back in the 1990’s and culminated in achieving MSC certification in 2012. We were proud to be Australia’s first tropical prawn fishery to be certified and we’ve had continual improvements since our initial certification. As Australia’s largest wild prawn fishery, we have a responsibility to look after the marine environment and through the MSC assessment, we know we meet the world’s best practice for fisheries sustainability and management.”  

The NPF fishery is Australia’s largest and most valuable wild prawn fishery covering 771,000 square kilometres of tropical waters off Australia’s northern coast from Cape Londonderry in Western Australia to Cape York in Queensland. As a Commonwealth fishery, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is responsible for the management of this fishery by limiting how many boats can fish and regulating the gear they can use. Since the initial certification, the fishery has been at the forefront of innovation and research for the industry with leading roles in the management of the Crew Member Observer Program and the implementation of the NPF Bycatch Reduction Strategy.

MSC assessment is conducted by third party, independent auditors against three core principles: fishery stock health, impact on marine environment and management of the fishery. MSC certified fisheries are continually monitored and must complete annual surveillance audits as well as being reassessed every five years. More than 1,200 improvements to fishing practices and environmental management have been delivered by MSC certified fisheries since 2000.  

Chefs and amateur BBQ masters alike, love NPF prawns, for their quick, easy and quintessentially Aussie flavour. Health coach, chef and author, Scott Gooding shares his recipes for Australian Banana prawns with Taronga Zoo and more recipes are available on the MSC YouTube channel. 

Read: Australian Northern Prawn Final Report

Recipe Videos:  

Laura Well’s Sustainable Banana Prawn and Pineapple Salad

Scott Gooding’s Banana Prawn Brocollini Salad with Nuoc Cham

Dr Shark’s (aka Dr Adrian Gutteridge) Easy As BBQ Banana Prawns