The Southern Gulf of California Thread Herring fishery has achieved certification to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard, proving that their seven licensed vessels operating in the waters of the states of Sinaloa and Nayarit in the Gulf of California meet rigorous sustainability requirements. This science-based standard is the world’s most credible and recognized standard for environmentally sustainable wild-caught seafood.
Armando Coppel Azcona, General Director of Maz Sardina S.A. de C.V. (fishery representative) said: “We have found consumers are increasingly concerned about the origin and sustainability of the products they are buying. Maz Sardina’s achievement of MSC certification for the thread herring fishery assures consumers that our product is sustainable and traceable, and it is a source of pride for the entire Mexican fishing industry that we have attained this certification.”
Thread herring grow to a length of 20 to 30cm (8 to 12in.). They form dense schools on the surface, feeding mostly on zooplankton. The fleet uses purse seines to catch them, an activity it pursues for 10 months each year. Two Mexican government agencies help manage the fishery, which brings in a little more than a third of Mexico’s total thread herring landings. Regulations regarding entry to the fishery, gear restrictions, protection of sensitive species, and area closures all contribute to the sustainability of the stocks.
Brian Perkins, MSC regional director - Americas, said: "The MSC’s vision is for oceans to be teeming with life for future generations. We are extremely pleased to see the Southern Gulf of California Thread Herring fishery succeed in the MSC process and we hope to be their partner in creating and maintaining new markets.”
The independent assessment of the Southern Gulf of California Thread Herring fishery was conducted by SCS Global Services, an accredited third-party conformity assessment body. SCS Global Services assembled a team of fishery science and policy experts to evaluate the fishery according to the three principles of the MSC Fisheries Standard: the health of the stock; the impact of fishing on the marine environment; and the management of the fishery. The MSC process is open to stakeholders and all results are peer reviewed.