Independent certifier Moody Marine has recommended that the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee (NESFC) Lobster fishery should not be certified as sustainable. This is the first fishery to fail a full assessment against the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC’s) environmental standard for sustainable and well-managed fisheries.
Although the fishery passed the assessment on two of the three principles assessed – scoring well on its low impact on the marine environment and on its good management system – it failed on the principle that assesses current stock status.
What NESFC says
David McCandless from NESFC says: “Obviously, we are disappointed that the lobster fishery has not passed but we are not discouraged. MSC certification is vitally important to our fishery and, catalysed by the MSC process, work has already started on the research that will be needed: we have appointed a project officer, Nick Fleming, to conduct an ecologically focused study on the fishery. Our target is to achieve certification within the next three years. I would like to thank all our sponsors who funded the assessment process, in particular, Yorkshire Forward and DEFRA”.
What the MSC says
Chris Ninnes, Operations Director of the MSC says: “This isn’t money wasted: failing the full assessment isn’t the end of the line for the lobster fishery. The NESFC now has a 3 year period to conduct necessary research that will allow a better assessment of the stock to be made. Provided this work can be satisfactorily completed within this period the fishery will be able to reengage with the assessment process without having to start from the beginning. I am confident that the NESFC is committed to completing this research before the 2010 deadline and we look forward to seeing this work develop.”
What Yorkshire Forward says
Sarah Pearson, Head of Humber at Yorkshire Forward comments; “Whilst it is of course disappointing that the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee has been unsuccessful for its bid for accreditation on this occasion, their efforts to reach this standard demonstrates their commitment to becoming sustainable. The NESFC now has a clear set of actions from the MSC and I am confident that their next bid will be successful.”
NESFC has a further fishery – for sea bass – also in the full assessment process. Results are expected in the next few months.
About the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee
The North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee was established by statutory order made on the 9th July, 1890 which has been amended from time to time to reflect changing circumstances and is comprised of representatives from the 11 coastal Local Authorities within its area together with 17 members appointed by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and one member appointed by the Environment Agency. The total membership of the Committee is 36.
About Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region. Over the past year, Yorkshire Forward has created and safeguarded more than 27,000 new jobs; helped create and attract more than 1,100 new businesses, provided nearly 66,000 learning opportunities and attracted more than £333 million private sector finance - achieving or exceeding all of the targets it was set. Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objective One and Two programmes.
Further information
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