Annual Surveillance Audit for the Vieira Patagonica Fishery (Zygochlamys patagonica)

PUBLIC LETTER

Dear Mr./Mrs.,

This is to formally notify you that OIA is planning to undertake the Annual Surveillance Audit between commencing on 29th September to 6th October, 2008, in Mar del Plata.

In 2006 you were invited to participate in consideration of the state of the Vieira Patagonica Fishery in Argentina. As a result of the Full Assessment conducted by an Assessment Team of internationally known scientists and participation of both government and non-government organizations (Stakeholders), the fishery was certified as an MSC Sustainable Fishery, following the guiding principles and criteria of the Marine Stewardship Council. OIA is one of four fully MSC accredited Certifiers operating in the world, and is Argentina.

The certification was granted to Glaciar Pesquera S.A., one of the two companies fishing this resource, with conditions which must be met within the next four years (commencing in November 2006), and recommendations which if acted on, would further increase the sustainability of this resource.

The final report has been published in the MSC and OIA websites, www.msc.org and www.oia.com.ar, respectively The fishery is certified for five years, and an Annual Surveillance Audit (with report) is conducted every year.

As the certifier we value all Stakeholders inputs highly, and wish to receive their comments during this site visit to the fishery.

Dr. R. Peter Pottinger
Team Leader and Director Sustainable Systems
Organización Internacional Agropecuaria