Fisheries of Patagonian Scallops (Zygochlamys patagonica) | Press release, December 2006

The first MSC eco-label for scallops fisheries was granted to Argentina

The Patagonian Scallops fishery is the first scallops fishery in the world that gets this certification according to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)[1] environmental standard for well-managed and sustainable fisheries. This fishery passed an independent evaluation carried out by certifier Organización Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA)[2]. To date, there are 22 fisheries in the world authorized to label their catch with MSC blue eco-label. [3]

Ruper Howes,  MSC Chief Executive, was enthusiastic about this first assignment: “This are great encouraging news. MSC blue eco-label is known as an international seal for well-managed and sustainable fisheries. Consumers in France, Canada and USA among other key markets supplied with Patagonian scallops, now will be able to purchse MSC certified and labelled scallops, being assured that they are making the best environmental choice. We are hopeful that other Argentine fisheries may engage this evaluation process”.

“This certification according to MSC standards is a well-deserved award to the Argentine government. It worked in a very responsible way with scientists and the industry to assure a well-managed fishery and provide a good future to the industry and to everyone depending on fisheries as way of life. The Argentine scallops industry is committed to responsible fisheries and constant support to government efforts to guarantee health and sustainability of the scallops resource”, said Eduardo González Lemmi, President of Glaciar Pesquera S.A., the company that requested the certification and is authorized to fish scallops in the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone.

Peter Pottinger, OIA's Director of Sustainable Systems and Coordinator of the evaluating group said: “We are impressed by the effective cooperation between all parties involved in the fishery management, that is to say the Argentine Fisheries Authorities, the fishery operators and the INIDEP, the Federal Body for Fisheries Research. Their collaborative work has resulted in a model management system of a fishery”.

Pedro A. Landa, OIA's Technical Director adds: “From the fishery starters in 1996, the Fishery Federal Council, body responsible of fisheries management in Argentina, has always taken positive choices to guide a sustainable development. It includes the definition of fishery-free reserves, a 100 per cent coverage of observers in trips and high quality reserach”.

The scallops fishery operates in an area between the boundary of Argentina with Uruguay and Tierra del Fuego, south of Argentina. This fishery is placed within the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone and makes use of trawl nets to catch scallops. The MSC certification was granted to Glaciar Pesquera, owned by an Argentine businessman and Clearwater Seafoods, from Canada. Glaciar Pesquera is one of the two companies authorized to fish scallops in that region.

There is more than 50 fisheries engaged in MSC programme accounting for over 3.5 millon tonns of seafood annually. They represent the 42 per cent of the global wild salmon catch, the 32 per cent of the global prime white fish catch and the 18 per cent of the global spiny lobster catch for human consumption. Over 450 seafood products carry MSC bluse eco-label in 26 countries. [4]

Notas al Editor

[1] The MSC is a non-profitable international organisation operating since 1997 to promote solutions for overfishing problems.

[2] For additonal information, visit www.oia.com.ar

[3] For information about fisheries certified according to MSC standard visit MSC website: www.msc.org