Santiago, Chile - A new milestone was reached for sustainable fishing in Chile; following a 15 month assessment, the Chilean jack mackerel fishery was certified against the MSC fisheries standard. The fishery, from Atacama to Los Lagos, can now bear the MSC blue fish label on products to signal that the fishery is sustainable and complies with the international best fishing practices. This achievement marks the Chilean jack mackerel fishery as the biggest certified fishery in Latin America.
The Chilean jack mackerel achievement joins MSC certification reached by the nylon shrimp, yellow squat lobster, red squat lobster fisheries in the central northern and southern of the country, and the Krill fishery in Antarctic waters. All of these certifications are as a result of the Chilean fishing industry’s commitment to sustainability established in 2015 under the International Our Ocean Conference framework.
“This certification has been arduous work, and is a country-wide achievement, where the fishing industry, jointly authorities and national fisheries institutions have demonstrated their commitment to the sustainability and the future, through the application of the MSC standard in this iconic species of the South Eastern Pacific Ocean,” noted Social Velásquea, President of Sonapesca.
“Congratulations to the Chilean jack mackerel fishery for achieving MSC certification,” said Cristian Vallejos, MSC Program Director for Latin America. “The fishery’s hard work to show that it is dedicated to preserving the fishery and the ecosystem is evident and we’re proud to have another fishery in Latin America demonstrate that sustainability is a priority.”
The independent certifier, Lloyd´s Register, assessed the Chilean jack mackerel fishery to determine whether the fishery meets the robust MSC standard for sustainable fisheries. The assessment marked against the three MSC principles: The target stock is in a healthy condition; the impact of fishing activities in the ecosystem is prevented; the fishery is well managed.
“For us is fundamental that our activity provides food security through fishing with the future in mind. Consequently, Sonapesca jointly with our fishing association will work to encourage other industrial fisheries to join the MSC program”, underlined Osciel Velásquez of Sonapesca.
The fishery is certified through 2024 and will undergo annual audits to ensure it continues to meet the MSC fisheries standard.
###