MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine hoki fishery signs up for MSC certification

Hoki has become a leading fisheries export product for Argentina

The hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae magellanicus) trawl fishery operating in the Argentine Economic Exclusive Zone and adjacent waters entered full assessment to be considered for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. It is the second South American fishery to officially seek MSC certification of sustainability.

Argentina’s Under Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Federal Fisheries Council, CFP, oversee the fishery. The client group applying for MSC certification consists of five Argentine fishing companies which are responsible for more than 50% of the total Argentine hoki annual catch. These are Pespasa-pesantar, Estremar, San Arawa, Yuken and Grupo Valastro.

Primary products produced from Argentine hoki are frozen fish, filet and surimi. These are mostly exported to Japan, France, Germany, England and Spain.

Daniel Rivera, the representative of the client group, said: “We believe this is the right moment. The sustainable fishing conditions present a clear opportunity to achieve the final evaluation and certification of the hoki fishery, as well as support our commitment to continue expanding to other species.”

MSC Americas Regional Director Kerry Coughlin commented: “We are pleased to welcome a second Argentine fishery into the assessment process for certification to the MSC standard. We are encouraged by the participation of South American fisheries like Argentine hoki that are expanding the MSC program into new regions of the world, paving the way for more fisheries in the region to similarly demonstrate their commitment with sustainable fishing.”

Organización Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA) has been contracted by the fishery client group to conduct the independent, third-party assessment, which is expected to take 12 months to complete. OIA will convene a team of scientific experts to assess the fishery against the three core principles of the MSC's standard for sustainable and well managed fisheries: sustainability of fish stock, its impact on the environment and the management system in place. (FIS/MP).-