Dover sole captured by the DFO may now carry the MSC certification label. (Photo: Stock File)

Dover sole scores MSC label

NETHERLANDS
Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 17:30 (GMT + 9)

The Dutch Fisheries Organisation's gill net fishery for Dover sole has passed its assessment for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification as a sustainable and well-managed fishery.

The fishery's certification follows a rigorous 12-month independent assessment, which was commissioned by the Dutch Fisheries Organisation (DFO; in Dutch: Stichting van de Nederlandse Visserij) on behalf of 44 fishermen.

The gill net fishery operates in the Dutch coastal waters. Fishing takes place between the months of March and October targeting the larger fish that come inshore at this time. Sixty, mostly small vessels are involved in the fishery. Dover sole makes up two-thirds of the landings from this fishery that yields 200 tonnes of sole annually.

The DFO Dover sole gill net fishery operates under a voluntary management plan and recently the Dutch government incorporated elements of this management plan in a new regulatory framework for the gill net fishery, capping access to the fishery and fishing effort.

As part of its ongoing certification, the DFO Dover sole gill net fishery will encourage the scientific evaluation of the European long-term management for Dover sole. In addition the fleet must collect detailed information on the catch composition, including discards.

Derk Jan Berends of the DFO says: "Earning the desired MSC-certificate represents proof to the Dutch gill net fishermen for Dover sole, that science has judged their fishery as sustainable. This did not happen overnight; over the last few years the fishermen have invested in consultation and cooperation with important stakeholders, which resulted in a management plan that has wide support and forms the basis for the MSC certification.

"Limiting the number of vessels and the number of nets in the coastal zone is an important precondition the fishermen have enforced on themselves. The fishermen also participate actively in research. MSC certification contributes to a positive image of the gill net fishery for Dover sole; it would be great if the market would reward this initiative as well by means of better prices."

Rupert Howes, Chief Executive of the MSC says: "I congratulate the DFO gill net Dover sole fishery on their certification. It is tremendously encouraging to see another Dutch fishery achieve MSC certification following the establishment of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Dutch industry, the environmental NGOs and the government to bring all Dutch North Sea demersal fisheries in the MSC programme by 2012. I am also pleased to see the government is supporting the fishery and its certification with new regulations."

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