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

PUBLIC LETTER
(Visit “Conditions and Recommendations”)

Dear Mr./Mrs.,

This is to formally notify you that OIA is planning to undertake this assessment in the week commencing October 1, 2007.

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 on the internet, by both the MSC and OIA. Respectively, www.msc.org and www.oia.com.ar. 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 maintain regular contact with you. OIA welcomes you to contact us at anytime on any matters relating to fisheries that are certified or under certification.

Particularly you may wish to make further submissions in relation to the Annual Surveillance Audit (Review) of Vieira Patagónica. In order to assist you we have included here a copy of the Action Plan, which includes the CONDITIONS imposed on the Fishery as a basis for receiving the certification, and the milestones established by the client. These indicate how and by what time the fishery proposes to achieve each condition and thereby ensure the continuing sustainability of the fishery.

As the fishery is centered on Mar del Plata, we propose that the OIA Assessment Team (essentially the same as used in 2006), conduct interviews in that city; with representatives of organizations with a direct involvement in the conduct and or management of the fishery (largely official government agencies or non-governmental organizations) with a real interest in ensuring the sustainability if it.

We also include attached a copy of all other RECOMMENDATIONS made in the FINAL REPORT. These indicate areas where the Assessment Team felt that their were non-critical weaknesses, which merit attention sometime in the future. These are not obligatory to fulfill within the span of the certification, but it is obviously in the interest of the Fishery Client to consider them as part of the overall fishery improvement programme.

Basically OIA as the Certifier will be evaluating:

1) Any new information or developments to ensure that the fishery continues to comply with the minimum standard and;

2) Progress on the corrective actions, indicated in the conditions set in 2006.

We would very much appreciate receiving the views of Stakeholders with an interest in the fishery, on how you feel about the progress and/or relative health of the fishery in relation to the MSC’s Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing.

The Stakeholders wishing to respond to this invitation should document information, evidence, analysis or views regarding the performance of the fishery. The Stakeholders responsibility is to provide objective, verifiable evidence by:

1. Providing well-informed and substantive arguments for their positions, including reference to objective evidence that can assist the Assessment Team in evaluating the merit of issues raised.

2. Not withholding concerns, data or knowledge from the Assessment Team. Any concerns, data or knowledge not presented for inclusion in the assessment cannot be used in determining the audit outcome. Nor can such concerns or information be used as a basis for objection to a certification.

3. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide verbal input through the interview process (during the week beginning 1 October, 2007). All verbal inputs should be submitted in writing to ensure full consideration by the Assessment Team, who will also question points and clarify the information provided. OIA will provide a timetable for Stakeholders interviews, once we know your intent to orally present information, or not.

Note:

a. Stakeholders may be individuals or groups. Stakeholders groups are advised to interact through a Stakeholder representative, who can accurately present the group’s interests and positions.

b. Stakeholders making verbal presentations are asked to provide OIA Pesca and/or its Assessment Team with a meaningful estimate of the time that they will need to consult with their colleagues, experts and/or constituents in order to participate in the assessment process. If you decide, written submissions will be accepted by the Assessment Team.

c. Stakeholders have four weeks in which to provide the Assessment Team with their submissions, from the date of this communication.

This letter will been published on www.oia.com.ar

We will certainly be contacting you from time to time as fisheries seek our assistance with pre- and full evaluations.

Organización Internacional Agropecuaria