The Southeast US North Atlantic swordfish pelagic longline and buoy gear fishery has received Marine Stewardship Council certification after a rigorous, independent assessment by MRAG Americas.
The certification covers swordfish landed for Day Boat Seafood LLC, which is now eligible to bear the blue MSC ecolabel. The Unit of Certification combines pelagic longline and buoy gear types working with Day Boat Seafood LLC. All the swordfish landed – approximately 200t per year – is sold fresh in domestic markets.
The fishery operates year round with some seasonal variation in an area off the Florida east coast. It is managed by the US Federal Government under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and in conformance with ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) management requirements. In addition, other US federal laws and regulations under the US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) apply to the fishery, including endangered species.
As part of the certification, nine conditions, or improvement actions are required that address issues raised during the process by the certification team, stakeholders, and peer review scientists. Progress in meeting the conditions is required and will be assessed during the annual surveillance audits.
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