- Fiji’s first fishery to achieve MSC certification in 2012
- World’s first surface tuna longline fishery to gain MSC certification
- Recertification expands the fishery’s target species to include yellowfin tuna
- The fishery maintains high observer coverage rate of around 40%
Today the Fiji albacore and yellowfin tuna longline fishery has been recertified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fishery Standard.
“The Fiji Fishing Industry is delighted that our surface line fishery has received recertification under the MSC. We were the first surface tuna longline industry in the world to be accredited and the reassessment is a matter of pride for Fiji. We would like to thank all those, including the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries, who assisted us through the process,” said Anare Raiwalui, Executive Officer of the Fiji Fishing Industry Association.
The recertification adds yellowfin tuna as a certified species to the previously certified catches of albacore and extends the area of the fishery beyond the Fiji EEZ (exclusive economic zone) to include high seas pockets bordering the EEZ.
“Congratulations to the Fiji Fishing Industry Association for their continued commitment and leadership in ensuring the sustainability of local fish stocks and the greater marine environment,” said Anne Gabriel, Oceania Program Director for the MSC.
“Beyond ocean health, the ecolabeling and traceability components of MSC certification bring social and economic benefits to Fijians, who depend on tuna as an important resource. The recertification builds on Fiji’s commitment made last year at the first United Nations Ocean Conference to have 75% of all longline vessels MSC certified,” Gabriel added.