June 12, 2015 — The Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) South Pacific albacore longline fishery has become the first Chinese tuna fleet to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
Certification of this Pacific tuna fishery is welcome news as it represents a growing supply of MSC certified sustainable tuna. The fishery produces 2,300 tonnes of tuna per annum.
The Cook Islands fishery now joins a leading group of more than 250 MSC certified fisheries that are helping to ensure healthy marine ecosystems for this and future generations.
Achieving MSC certification brings global recognition to this pioneering fishery’s efforts, and will also help safeguard the livelihoods of many in the Cook Islands.
Ben Ponia, Secretary for Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources says a significant part of the certifier’s evaluation required assessing government’s capacity to manage the albacore fishery in a sustainable manner.