Four fishing companies in Argentina are implementing a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) with the aim of attaining Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification by March 2025 for the country’s Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) fishery. The companies – Estremar, Nueva Pescanova, Pesantar, and San Arawa – are working to implement the Argentine FIP with technical support from Latin American NGO CeDePesca, according …
COLTO on National Science Week
This week, COLTO’s Executive Officer, Rhys Arangio, spoke with the Marine Stewardship Council, and CCAMLR Executive Secretary, David Agnew on ‘Fishing in Antarctica’ as part of National Science Week. The live event included questions from school children across Australia as they learnt why toothfish don’t freeze in Antarctica!
Blockchain: Hook to Plate
Could using digital tags to track fish reduce seafood fraud, help conservation and hold everyone in the supply chain to account? In recent weeks, a new $50m (£35m) hybrid vessel set sail from Mauritius and headed out into the Southern Ocean where the crew will spend three months longline fishing for the Patagonian toothfish. By the time the fish are …
MSC’s lifetime achievement award to Austral CEO
David Carter is the CEO of the world’s first carbon-neutral commercial fishing company Marine Stewardship Council’s Lifetime Achievement award winner and Austral Fisheries CEO reveals the state of Australia’s seafood business. David Carter has worked his entire career – from deckhand to CEO – at one of Australia’s largest commercial fishing companies. This year marks his 42nd anniversary with Austral …
French toothfish fisheries’ MSC certification renewed
The Kerguelen and Crozet toothfish fishery renews its MSC certification for sustainable fishing On 20th December, the longlining toothfish fishery around the Kerguelen and Crozet Islands in the southern seas (Southern Indian and Antarctic Oceans) confirmed its sustainable fishing practices by renewing its MSC certification. The French fishing companies concerned, members of the SARPC*, passed the evaluation according to the …
Australia’s Heard Island Toothfish Fishery re-certified by MSC
The Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Patagonian toothfish fishery has received recertification to the MSC standard for sustainable fishing. Originally certified in 2012, the fishery was once riddled with illegal and unregulated fishing for the valuable species, found across the southern ocean. But due to robust and collaborative management, there has not been illegal fishing in the region since …
Toothfish posterchild as MSC celebrates 20 years
This year the Marine Stewardship Council celebrates 20 years, and today, its certified fisheries account for 12% of global marine catch. Its goal is to have 20% of all wild seafood to come from certified fisheries by 2020. COLTO is extremely proud of the transition that our toothfish fisheries have made over the years, with now nearing 60% of the …
Crozet toothfish fishery gains MSC certification
PRESS RELEASE HERE The members of the Reunion Freezer Longliner Syndicate (SARPC) obtained the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for their Crozet fishery as part of their southern seas toothfish fishing activities. This certification recognizes the work done by the stakeholders in terms of sustainability of the resource and it is in line with the MSC certification obtained for the …
Toothfish prices on rise, with IUU fleet in disarray
Prices have been steadily rising for Chilean seabass, or toothfish, with a crackdown on illegal catching set to see supply down in 2016. According to one executive on the high-end whitefish panel at the Global Seafood Market Conference, held last week in Miami, Florida, toothfish prices are getting to a high level for the US market. The market in Asia and US are …
Conservation plans to further protect albatross
The UK Overseas Territory of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands is this week launching an ambitious conservation effort to help protect the albatross. South Georgia is a globally important breeding site for a number of seabirds, including black-browed, grey-headed and wandering albatrosses. These species are protected and have been closely monitored by researchers since the 1950s. Despite this, South …
Global Collaboration Doubles Sustainable Catch in Five Years
MSC partners deliver lasting improvements for healthy oceans A new report published by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to mark World Oceans Day shows how effective management and improvements made by MSC certified fisheries are delivering measurable, positive impacts in our oceans, from reducing bycatch to advancing scientific understanding of marine environments. Since 2010, the volume of global wild seafood …
MSC Reports reveal progress for Sustainable Seafood
Two new reports from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) show the progress being made to secure the future of the world’s oceans, and a plentiful supply of seafood for generations to come. With 29 per cent of the world’s oceans currently overfished, the reports show how commitments by seafood producers, retailers and consumers are delivering lasting improvements to the sustainability …
19th November 2014: Australia’s science-based fisheries management reaping rewards
Excellent management of Australia’s fisheries has led to an increase in the sustainable catch for the prized Patagonian Toothfish. The total allowable catch limit was increased by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) following a recommendation from the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meeting in Tasmania last month. It will enable Australian operators to sustainably catch …
2nd October 2014: Extreme Toothfish
Everything about Australia’s newly branded Glacier 51 Toothfish is extreme: its looks, its size (the fish can reach 2m in length), its environment. Even the story of its journey from pirate plunder to species under threat to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification is outlandish. But while it’s highly prized in America and Japan – its fillet renders large, luscious, arctic-white …
23rd September 2014: South Georgia Patagonian toothfish renews MSC
The South Georgia Patagonian toothfish fishery renewed its five-yearly Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for the third consecutive time. The fishery, which was first MSC certified in 2004, received an average score of 96 out of 100 in the latest assessment, said the government of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI). The government, which manages the fishery, said it “has pledged …
14th September 2014: MSC questions scientific rigour after claims of Chilean Seabass Mislabelling
In August, a report by the University of Hawaii at Mānoa criticized the labeling practices of the Marine Stewardship Council in regards to its MSC-certified Chilean sea bass. Now, the council is disputing the validity of the study and saying it is “highly confident about the integrity” of its certified foods. The study by University of Hawaii at Mānoa published in …
1st July 2014: South Georgia Toothfish Fishery rated as one of ‘best in the world’
Recommendations have been made regarding the South Georgia Toothfish fishery by two senior scientists who have conducted an independent review, however they stressed today to Penguin News that the fishery was the best managed in the world. Dr Stuart Hanchet and Dr Dirk Welsford* (pictured right and left respectively of Dr Collins) were invited to the Islands by Chief Executive …
7th March 2014: MSC Certification for Falkland Islands Toothfish.
PRESS RELEASE: Consolidated Fisheries Ltd. (CFL) is pleased to announce that Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification has been granted to the Falklands Islands Toothfish longline fishery. The fishery entered assessment in August 2012 and was evaluated by independent MSC certifier Intertek Fisheries Certification (formerly Intertek Moody Marine) against the MSC Standard for well-managed and sustainable fisheries in three principle …
24th Sep 2014: PRESS RELEASE – “Guilt Free” Chilean Seabass
A Chilean Seabass (Patagonian toothfish) cast is travelling to Boston, USA, to become a centre piece of the COLTO booth at the Seafood Expo North America show, from 16 to 18 March. The cast will be given away as a prize during the show. The Coalition for Legal Toothfish Operators (COLTO) will showcase the astounding turnaround for toothfish (aka Chilean …
19th Feb 2014: Falklands’ Fortuna targets northern Europe for toothfish sales
Having recently acquired a new longliner, Falklands squid and whitefish catcher Fortuna Seafoods is looking to high-end markets in northern Europe to expand its toothfish sales, said company director James Wallace. Speaking from the Fish International 2014 fair in Bremen, Wallace said the company was looking to complement its traditional toothfish markets, the US and Asia. The company sells around …
10th Feb 2014: Falkland Islands’ toothfish catchers, Fortuna, incorporates MSC ice-class longliner ‘Tronio’
Fortuna Ltd, one of the Falkland Islands leading fishing companies announced the incorporation to their Falklands registered fleet of the 55-meter ice class longliner ‘Tronio’, specifically designed for ice fishing in Antarctica. ‘Tronio’ annual cycle begins in exploratory fisheries targeting Antarctic toothfish and conducting research on behalf of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, CCAMLR within the Antarctic belt. In April the …
30th December 2013: Falkland Islands Toothfish Fishery to be MSC certified
The fishery for Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) around the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* has been recommended for certification by the Marine Stewardship Council. “Following a 30-day period of comment on the Draft Report for the Falkland Island toothfish fishery, the Conformity Assessment Body, Intertek Moody Marine, has met to consider the report of the assessment team, the report of the Peer Review panel and all stakeholder comments. The …
24th October 2013: SARPC create Southern Seas Companies Foundation
The French toothfish fishing companies, grouped into a S.A.R.P.C [1] syndicate who manages this activity from Reunion Island, created the Southern Seas Companies foundation (Fondation d’entreprises des mers australes), which was just been recognized on 23rd August 2013 by the decree number 1546, published in the French Official Journal on 5th October 2013. For the past years, the fishing companies have financially participated …
4th September 2013: French Toothfish fishery acheives MSC certification
The French Patagonian toothfish fishery around the Kerguelen Islands has been recognised by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as a sustainable and well managed fishery. The fishery has a total allowable catch of 5,100t per annum. A press release from the French ship owners from SARPC (Reunion Freezer Longline Syndicate) describes in further detail this great achievement. This certification brings …
11th June 2013: Top species – Chilean Sea Bass
The decision by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program to upgrade the status of some Chilean sea bass (Dissostichus eleginoides) fisheries, and Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) from avoid to best choice or good alternative has buoyed the spirits of those who have long dealt with this species, and see opportunities for expanding sales of the fish, also known as …
21 March 2013: Argentine Toothfish fishery enters MSC assessment
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 …
21st Feb 2013: MSC responds to Ross Sea certification debate
The Marine Stewardship Council has responded to debate surrounding its certification of the Ross Sea toothfish fishery. The Chief Executive of the MSC, Rupert Howes, stated that each fishery stood or fell on the science and the evidence when it was put forward for assessment. The Ross Sea toothfish fishery had been found to meet the standards and was therefore certified, …
5th December 2012: COLTO function at CCAMLR
During this year’s CCAMLR meeting, COLTO hosted a function to celebrate the collaborative work of CCAMLR, Governments, scientists, industry and NGOs in their approach to conserving the Antarctic ecosystem and fisheries over the years, which has included the significant reduction of IUU fishing for Toothfish in the Southern Ocean, the reduction to near zero levels of accidental seabird mortality in …
4th December: Feel-Good Toothfish
So you want to buy some sustainable seafood? Great, you’re right on trend. Read today’s article from The Australian newspaper about Austral Fisheries’ MSC certified toothfish from Australia’s Heard Island & McDonald Islands.
2nd December 2012: Falklands’ fishing company seeking good management label from MSC
For the first time a Falkland Islands fishing company is seeking to have its good management certified by the internationally recognised Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Consolidated Fisheries’ Janet Robertson speaks to Penguin News about the Falkland Islands toothfish fishery undergoing assessment for a sustainable and well managed fishery.
9th November 2012: Australian toothfish MSC video
Austral Fisheries have added a quick slideshow to YouTube from their Marine Stewardship Council certification launch for Heard Island Toothfish. COLTO members Austral Fisheries and Australian Longline both fish for MSC certified Patagonian toothfish in Australian waters.
7th November 2012: CCAMLR strengthens marine conservation in Antarctica
Last Thursday saw the close to the 2012 CCAMLR meeting, the 31st of its kind. While it was disappointing that there was not a consensus on MPAs in Antarctic waters, there will be a CCAMLR special meeting (only the 2nd ever) held in July next year to discuss this topic further. Positive outcomes were seen in CCAMLR’s toothfish fisheries with …
7th September 2012: Want to know more about MSC?
As four toothfish fisheries operated by COLTO members are now certified as sustainable and well managed fisheries by the Marine Stewardship Council, and three more currently undergoing assessment, you are probably wondering ‘What does MSC certification really mean?’ If so, the MSC have provided us with an interesting and informative video, explaining the MSC certification process and how it came …
22 August 2012: Sixth Toothfish Fishery to be Assessed
COLTO PRESS RELEASE The Falkland Islands Longline Patagonian Toothfish Fishery has become the sixth Toothfish fishery to undergo full assessment under the independent Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) accreditation scheme. This follows four toothfish fisheries that are already MSC certified as sustainable and well managed, and a fifth that is currently also under assessment. Martin Exel, COLTO Chairman, said today it …
1 June 2012: Second Australian toothfish fishery certified sustainable
COLTO is pleased to see that Australia’s Macquarie Island Patagonian Toothfish fishery has been recognised as a sustainable and well managed fishery by the Marine Stewardship Council. The Macquarie Island fishery is now the fourth toothfish fishery to receive MSC certification, following certification of the South Georgia, the Ross Sea and Heard and McDonald Islands fisheries. The latest certification means …
16th March 2012: HIMI Toothfish receives MSC certification
On a day that the Marine Stewardship Council is celebrating Sustainable Seafood Day, COLTO is pleased to announce that Australia’s Heard Island & McDonald Islands (HIMI) Patagonian Toothfish fishery has been recognised as a sustainable and well managed fishery by the Marine Stewardship Council. Read the MSC HIMI toothfish press release. The HIMI fishery is now the third toothfish fishery …
24th January 2012: MSC sets date Down Under
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has announced the launch of Sustainable Seafood Day in Australia. Set for March 16, it seeks to boost the profile of those products that bear the MSC’s ecolable – a tick of approval for sustainable and well managed fisheries. Australia’s Heard Island and McDonald Islands Patagonian Toothfish Fishery and the Macquarie Island Patagonian Toothfish Fishery …
22nd December 2011: Draft Report for HIMI toothfish
The Australian Heard Island & McDonald Islands Patagonian toothfish fishery is now approaching the final stages of Marine Stewardship Council review. The MSC draft report was compiled by Scientific Certification Systems and is now available on the MSC website. The public comment period ends January 16th 2012. If successful, HIMI will be the third toothfish fishery to achieve the gold …
14 November 2011: New study on evironmental impacts of MSC programme published.
The Marine Stewardship Council has released the results of an independent study that shows quantifiable, progressive improvement of the environmental performance of MSC certified fisheries over time. A summary of the report can be found here. This is good news for COLTO members and their associated toothfish (also known as Chilean sea bass) fisheries, of which two are currently MSC certified, with several …
10 May 2011: Third fishery for Austral Fisheries & Australian Longline enters full assessment against the MSC standard
The Macquarie Island toothfish fishery, operated by Austral Fisheries and Australian Longline, has entered full assessment for MSC certification. This is the Australian operators’ third fishery to undergo MSC assessment with their HIMI mackerel icefish fishery successfully gaining MSC certification in 2006, and their HIMI toothfish fishery currently undergoing full assessment. Independent certification body Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), will evaluate …
18 Nov 2010: Ross Sea toothfish longline fishery gains MSC certification
The Ross Sea Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) longline fishery has been awarded Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification following a rigorous, independent assessment against the MSC standard for sustainable and well-managed fisheries. Products from this fishery may now bear the MSC ecolabel, identifying their origin from a sustainable source. Only products that originate from the certified fishery are eligible to bear …
18 Nov 2010: Southern Ocean toothfish fishery to enter full assessment against the MSC standard
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has announed the Austral Fisheries’ and Australian Longline’s Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) toothfish fishery has entered full assessment for MSC certification. To be conducted by independent certification body Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), the assessment will evaluate the Southern Ocean fishery against the MSC standard for well-managed and sustainable fisheries, which examines the sustainability of the …
15 July 2010: Forensic techniques boost MSC traceability programme
Independent DNA tests on 240 random samples have shown that MSC certified fish continues to perform well in traceability tests. All of the samples showed that they came from the fish labelled on the pack and none of the products was mislabelled. These early results establish DNA analysis as a valuable tool in combating the fraudulent use of ecolabels. As …