The Russian Sea of Okhotsk walleye pollock fishery has now officially received Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
Objections to the certification have been addressed and the fishery is now eligible to use the MSC logo on its products.
The target stock is found throughout the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk and commercial fishing occurs January-April and October-December.
Pollock from this fishery is used for a number of products including fillets, which are used to supply domestic markets in Russia, as well as Asian and European markets. Pollock surimi paste is also produced for domestic use and export. Pollock roe is principally exported to the Japanese and Southeast Asian markets, but canned roe is also sold domestically. In 2012, the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) was approximately 840,000 MT.
The fishery was entered into assessment by the Pollock Catchers Association (PCA). PCA executive director Alexey Buglak said: We are pleased the Sea of Okhotsk Pollock Fishery has obtained MSC certification as sustainable and well-managed fishery. The fishery underwent an independent, scientific audit and the objection process has made the outcome of the certification even stronger and more solid. Russian fisheries management and the members of the PCA will work hard to implement further improvements and we look forward to working in close collaboration with the Russian Pollock Sustainability Alliance and NGOs who contributed to the outcome.
Mercator Media Ltd 2013