New action plan on mackerel

New action plan on mackerel would solve the dispute in the North East Atlantic, says MSC.

According to MSC the action plan on mackerel would bring an end to the dispute in the North East Atlantic. The plan was submitted by the Mackerel Industry Northern Sustainability Alliance (MINSA) – a group of the 7 MSC certified mackerel fisheries whose certificates are currently suspended as a result of the impasse. The plan states that the fisheries’ certificates may remain suspended until the situation is resolved – when they will be re-instated without the need for a full reassessment.

MSC Deputy Director Europe, Camiel Derichs said that executing new action plan on mackerel would resolve this situation and reinstate the fisheries’ certificates. He added that this will minimize the gap between the negotiating parties and it will involve everyone in the mackerel fishery. The commitment and international cooperation between these fisheries is unparalleled and I am hopeful that certificates can be reinstated soon.

According to MSC the action plan include some important points such as
- Lobbying of relevant management bodies to promote a message based on the need for sustainable and well-managed fisheries and the consequences of unsustainable fisheries.
- Engagement with the scientific community including collaboration with a project to establish the mackerel biomass more accurately using electronic sounding equipment
- Lobbying on trade measures
- Media work to influence politicians.

Source: msc.org"

WorldFishingToday d. 05-07-2012