Icelandic haddock and saithe fisheries certified
Fisheries for haddock and saithe in Icelandic waters have been certified to the Iceland Responsible Fisheries certification program, confirming responsible fisheries management and good treatment of marine resources.
Buyers increasingly demand documentation showing that seafood has its origin in responsible fisheries. Certification serves to promote access for Icelandic haddock and saithe products in the most demanding international markets.
According to Mr. Gunnar Tómasson, Chairman of IRFF (Iceland Responsible Fisheries Foundation) certification of these two fisheries, haddock and saithe, is important to the Icelandic fishing industry and confirms that industry meets market demands for the sustainable use (harvesting) of renewable resources. „I am pleased that the Icelandic authorities have adopted harvesting policy and formal harvest control rules for haddock and saithe fisheries in Icelandic waters, a key requirement for certification to the IRFM program. Subsequent independent third party certification of Icelandic haddock and saithe fisheries according to the highest international requirements confirms that these fisheries are well managed“.
The Fisheries Association of Iceland and later the Iceland Responsible Fisheries Foundation (IRFF) developed the Iceland Responsible Fisheries certification program based on the FAO Ecolabelling Guidelines and the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Icelandic law and regulations provides for effective fisheries management based on international agreements as well as good treatment of marine resources. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has confirmed that the adopted harvest control rules for Icelandic haddock and saithe are consistent with the Precautionary Approach to fisheries management.
Global Trust Certification of Ireland, which is part of SAI Global with operations in many countries, conducted the assessment and issued the certificates for haddock and saithe fisheries. Previously, the Icelandic cod fisheries have been certified to the IRFM program.
For further information on the certification program, contact:
Finnur Gardarsson at IRFF, finnur@fiskifelag.is tel. +354 591 0308
Gudný Káradóttir at Promote Iceland, gudny@islandsstofa.is tel. +354 411 4000