The offshore component of the Argentine red shrimp fishery has obtained certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Standard, recognising its compliance with the highest international standards for environmental sustainability in fisheries.
This achievement builds on the certification obtained in March 2025 by the onshore portion of the fishery, marking a significant step forward toward the comprehensive sustainable management of one of Argentina’s most important fishery resources. The offshore fishery represents the largest fleet in the sector and is made up of a client group comprising 34 companies, reflecting the industry’s collective and coordinated effort.
The red shrimp fishing season mainly begins between April and May and extends until September or October each year. In 2024 alone, the fishery reported catches exceeding 139,000 tonnes, underscoring its economic and productive importance both nationally and internationally.
Offshore Argentinian red shrimp is widely recognized for its high quality, as a significant proportion of the product is frozen on board immediately after capture, helping preserve its freshness and key characteristics. Thanks to this certification, the fishery will be able to respond to growing demand in international markets, where buyers and consumers increasingly expect fisheries to be healthy, responsibly managed, and to demonstrate genuine care for the environment.
Certification under the MSC Standard involves a rigorous, independent third-party assessment that evaluates the status of the fish stock, the impact of fishing activities on the marine ecosystem, and the effectiveness of the management system. Only fisheries that demonstrate healthy populations, minimized environmental impacts, and robust control and continuous improvement mechanisms are able to achieve certification.
This milestone also recognizes the sustained effort and collaboration among companies, authorities, and key stakeholders, as well as the technical and operational challenges the fishery has successfully overcome to meet the requirements of the MSC Standard.
“The certification of offshore Argentine red shrimp is the result of years of commitment and continuous improvement by the sector. This progress not only strengthens Argentina’s position in international seafood markets but also shows that it is possible to combine productivity, quality, and long-term sustainability,” said Cristian Vallejos, MSC Program Director for Latin America.
With this certification, Argentinian red shrimp reaffirms its role as a strategic resource for the country and as a regional benchmark for sustainable fishing, providing confidence to markets and contributing to the health of the oceans for future generations.