July 17, 2024 — Fifteen years of hard work has paid off for U.S. Gulf of Mexico shrimp fisheries. As of earlier this month, white, brown and pink shrimp in all five Gulf states and federal waters achieved Responsible Fisheries Management certification.
Collectively, it’s the first shrimp fishery certified to the RFM standard, according to the Certified Seafood Collaborative.
RFM Certification requires fisheries meet RFM Standard criteria that evaluate fisheries in four key areas: A) the fisheries management system; B) science and stock assessment activities and the precautionary approach; C) management measures, implementation, monitoring, and control; and D) serious impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem.
Third-party certification body Global Trust awarded the certification after a thorough evaluation of the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp fishery as reported in the Final Assessment Report.
“Congratulations to the American Shrimp Processors Association and the entire Gulf of Mexico shrimp industry for meeting RFM’s comprehensive fishery standard,” the Collaborative’s RFM Board Chair Mark Fina said in a press release. “As the largest shrimp fishery in the U.S., it’s a testament to its sound fisheries management and commitment to the sustainability of their fishery.”