The Argentine red shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) fishery has achieved MSC certification, after a decade of dedicated improvements, making it the first coastal shrimp fishery in Argentina to gain the globally recognised certification for sustainability.
The certification encompasses the fishery’s onshore operations where small and medium-sized chilling vessels operate along the coast of Argentina’s Chubut province in the Patagonia region, renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and fishing industry.
The fishery underwent rigorous independent assessment to meet MSC’s strict environmental and sustainability standard. Efforts to enhance fishery management, improve monitoring, and reduce environmental impact have played a crucial role in obtaining MSC certification. This will not only help the long-term health of the shrimp population but also help protect the marine ecosystem.
The shrimp are exported to markets in the US, Europe and Asia and have been one of the fastest-growing sub-categories of seafood in terms of sales over the past 15 years. They are carefully processed in land-based plants by a group of traditional fishing companies, playing a crucial role in supporting the regional economy and sustaining jobs in coastal communities. Certification represents more than just environmental victory; it also offers possible economic benefits. With global demand for certified sustainable seafood on the rise, this certification will improve the fishery’s ability to access even more global markets, responding to the growing expectations of retailers and consumers worldwide.
The fishery has an annual catch of approximately 72,000 metric tons. Fishing takes place between October/November and March/April, ensuring responsible harvesting aligned with the species’ life cycle. The certification has been headed by a several fishing companies including, Achernar, Agropez, Cabo Virgenes, Consermar, Food Partners Patagonia, Greciamar, Iberconsa de Argentina, La Escalerona, and Pesquera Veraz, with support from the NGO Cedepesca.
Federico Angeleri, representative of the client group, highlighted the significance of this achievement: "Obtaining MSC certification is the result of hard teamwork, ensuring the long-term sustainability of shrimp fishing in Chubut. We take great pride in contributing to the region’s economic development while maintaining the highest environmental standards. This certification opens new doors in the market, allowing us to offer a certified, high-quality shrimp product.”
Cristian Vallejos, MSC Latin America Program Director, also celebrated the achievement stating: “This certification is a significant step forward for sustainable fishing in Argentina. It demonstrates the dedication of the fishery to environmental responsibility and highlights the positive impact that collaboration and improvement efforts can have on the industry. We hope this milestone inspires other fisheries in the region to continue their improvements.”
With the onshore portion now MSC certified, the fishery is almost 100% engaged with the MSC program. The offshore portion, which operates in federal waters and catches approximately 140,000 metric tons annually, is currently under assessment, with hopes of achieving certification by the end of 2025.