Liancheng Overseas Fishery (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd (SZLC) has celebrated becoming the first Chinese longline fishery to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. The fishery was certified in June but an official event was held today, marking this important milestone for China’s sustainable seafood industry.
Part of a growing network of sustainable fisheries
Liancheng now joins a leading group of more than 270 MSC certified fisheries that are helping to ensure healthy marine ecosystems for the future. Achieving MSC certification brings global recognition to this fishery’s efforts, and will also help safeguard seafood supplies for the future.
Liancheng operates a longline tuna fishery with 65 vessels and produces more than 4000 tonnes of albacore tuna a year.
“Sustainability is ingrained in SZLC’s strategic plans. We recognise the importance of sustainable, traceable tuna for the global seafood market” noted Mr Samuel Chou, president of SZLC.
Proving that sustainability is the way to go
“We are proud to be China’s first longline tuna fishery to achieve MSC certification. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, it is important that we are able to prove that tuna from our fishery is sustainable. We will continue to work hard to improve our internal management system in order to remain certified. We hope to continue to support the rest of China’s sustainable seafood movement as it embarks on this journey” Mr Chou added.
Established in 2002, Liancheng operates in the middle and west Pacific Ocean.
“The MSC is proud to welcome Liancheng into our program,” said Nicolas Guichoux, Global Commercial Director for the MSC.
“This certification demonstrates real progress by the management and staff of Liancheng. As the first MSC certified Chinese longline fishery, Liancheng now joins an elite group of fisheries working hard to protect our marine ecosystems and protecting seafood supplies for this and future generations. We will continue to support Liancheng in their quest to help transform the Chinese seafood industry. ” Mr Guichoux added.
Passing the sustainability test
A team of independent auditors and marine scientists examined the fishery's management and its impact on the marine ecosystem in order to ensure the environment is protected for the future.
The celebration of the first MSC certified Chinese longline fishery was held one day before the World’s 2nd largest seafood event – the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo 2015. Chinese government representatives, seafood industry experts, NGOs and the media attended the award ceremony in Qingdao, China.