Kyoto Fishermen Seeking Eco-Labels for Flounders, Snow Crabs

Following its success in passing a preliminary assessment for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, the Kyoto Danish Seine Fishery Federation (KDSFF), located on the Japan Sea coast of Kyoto prefecture, is now undergoing a full MSC assessment, a program widely known for its eco-labels for sustainable fisheries. The targeted species are snow crab and flathead flounder, and the 10-month screening process started in January 2006.

The KDSFF, whose total fish catch declined from 1,800 tons in 1970 to 850 tons in 1992, had already started focusing on marine resource management under an original program based on a scientific resource assessment conducted by the Kyoto Institute of Oceanic and Fishery Science. The federation has taken various measures, such as voluntarily regulating fishing seasons and establishing minimum catch sizes, limits on catch volumes and fish conservation areas. As a result, the federation's total catch recovered to 1,010 tons in 2003.

The MSC is an independent international organization that was established with the cooperation of the World Wide Fund for Nature and Unilever, a major food-related company. MSC certification aims to assure consumers that the certified fishery operation is taking both marine environmental conservation and sustainable use of marine resources into account. MSC-certified products with their distinctive label are sold both in domestic and foreign markets as seafood harvested by an eco-friendly fishery.

So far, no Japanese fishery has obtained MSC certification. If the KDSFF succeeds, it will be the first MSC-certified organization not only in Japan, but also in Asia.

http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/certified/pacific/kyoto-danish-seine-fishery-federation-snow-crab-and-flathead-flounder
http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/kaiyo/7-english/e-index.html

Posted: 2006/05/21 09:20:32 PM
Japanese version