The Argentine Patagonian toothfish fishery operating in Argentine Federal Continental Shelf waters has entered into full assessment for Marine Stewardship Council certification.
The client group for the assessment is comprised of four companies: Estremar S.A., Pesantar S.A., Argenova S.A., and San Arawa S.A. Combined the companies have seven vessels and are assigned the entire total allowable catch (TAC) for the species in the Argentine Sea. The method of catch is bottom trawl, bottom longline and trap. Fishing takes place year-round and the TAC last year was 3,500 tons. The fish is primarily exported to the United States, Japan and EU.
“We are confident the excellent management of the resource carried out by Argentine fishery management agencies, working together with scientists and industry, will be rewarded with MSC certification, as proof of the sustainability of this fishery, its strong management, its thorough investigation and the sound fishing practices of the four companies authorized,” said Marcelo Gonzalez, representative for the client group.
“Argentina is the leading country in South America in terms of fishery participation in the MSC program, and Argentine fisheries are serving as a model for sustainable management,” said Kerry Coughlin, MSC Americas regional director. “Patagonian toothfish is a species that is in particularly high demand in world markets and we are glad to see this fishery enter assessment to the MSC standard. If successful in achieving MSC certification, this will add an important source to the global supply of MSC certified toothfish, and will reinforce Argentina’s strong fisheries management.”
There are currently 4 Toothfish fisheries independently certified as sustainable and well managed by the MSC and the Argentine fishery is one of a further 3 toothfish fisheries currently undergoing full assessment.
-Taken from SeafoodSource.com