MSC in The Netherlands
Certified fisheries
The first Dutch fishery to achieve MSC certification was the PFA North Sea herring fishery, which was certified in May 2006. Since then, more Dutch fisheries have been certified:
- Ekofish Group North Sea plaice fishery was certified in June 2009
- PFA North East Atlantic mackerel fishery in July 2009
- Dover sole gill and tangle net fishery in November 2009
- PFA Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery in July 2010
- Osprey trawlers North Sea twin-rigged plaice in September 2010
- 2 Dutch mussel fisheries - the Netherlands blue shell mussel fishery and the Netherlands suspended culture mussel fishery - in July 2011.
Fisheries in assessment
The following fisheries are working to achieve certification in the future:
- North Sea brown shrimp fishery
- Netherlands rod and line seabass fishery
- CVO North Sea plaice and sole fishery
- DFA Dutch North Sea razor clam fishery
- OHV Dutch Waddenzee and Oosterschelde hand-raked cockle fishery
Supply chain
The Netherlands is 8th largest exporter of fish and fish products in the world, and provides an essential processing and logistics centre for fish in Europe. In response to demand for MSC certified seafood from domestic and international markets, about 200 of the 400-plus exporters and processors in the Netherlands have obtained MSC Chain of Custody certification to assure traceability of MSC product. Use our Find a Supplier search to find a company that offers the product you want.
Retail and brands
Dutch retailers have made rapid progress in recent years. In November 2007 the Dutch retailers association (CBL) announced the ambition that by the end of 2011 all wild caught fish sold by its members would be MSC-certified. This was an unprecedented commitment for an organisation that represents 99% of the Dutch supermarket sector. Individual retailers like Albert Heijn, Super de Boer, C1000, Plus, Jumbo, DEEN, Dekamarkt, Dirk van den Broek and many others, are actively seeking sustainable MSC certified products.
The independent retail sector - represented by Fishes, Frank’s Smokehouse and Vishandel De Klok - is an exciting and developing area in the Netherlands. In addition, a project with the Dutch Fishmongers Association (VNV) has allowed independent fishmongers to sign up for MSC Chain of Custody certification..
Foodservice and restaurants
The foodservice sector in the Netherlands sells increasing volumes of seafood. Several of the larger suppliers of this sector like Sligro, Makro, Seafood Parlevliet and DeliXL have obtained MSC Chain of Custody certification and have launched products bearing the MSC label.
In September 2008, Royal KLM became the first airline in the world to serve MSC-certified seafood. After successful completion of a pilot project in the Amsterdam Outbound World Business Class flights, KLM has now introduced a sustainable seafood sourcing policy. This includes serving MSC-certified seafood in in at least 50% of their menus on intercontinental flights from Amsterdam in business and economy class.
In April 2009, Sodexo became the first Dutch contract caterer with MSC Chain of Custody certification. The first party caterer Verhaaf/Jaarbeurs Catering Services was certified in August 2010.
Uptake of the MSC by independent restaurants in the Netherlands began when Fishes obtained MSC Chain of Custody certification in March 2007. Since then interest in sourcing sustainable fish is growing among independent restaurants. The restaurant guide 'Dinnersite' (Dutch only) provides an overview of restaurants in the Netherlands offering MSC certified seafood.
Together with WWF Netherlands and the Royal Restaurant Association, MSC launched the campaign 'Sustainable seafood on the menu' in January 2010. The launch of a pilot for online Chain of Custody certification for independent restaurants is part of the campaign.
Consumers
Increased awareness and concerns for sustainability and environmental issues is influencing consumers and their everyday purchases: Research on consumer expenditure on sustainable food in the Netherlands shows that in 2010 Dutch consumers spent 110.7 million euros on MSC labelled food which represents an increase of 30.9 % compared to 2009.
Research on attitudes and behaviour towards ecolabels, sustainable seafood and MSC shows that 34% of fish consumers in the Netherlands are aware of the MSC ecolabel. Among Dutch consumers, ecolabels rank as the most trusted sources of information about sustainability – with friends and family recommendations coming second, an indication of how much more sustainability issues are part of everyday conversation
Find out how your company can get involved in the MSC program.
