Maine Lobster Gets MSC Certification

The Maine lobster fishery has been officially certified as a sustainably fished by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The MSC is a private non-profit company based inLondon, England with about 120 employees. The certification means that Maine lobster can carry the labels the company produces identifying a seafood product as sustainably harvested according to MSC the guidelines.

Consumer interest in sustainability and the threat of being excluded from some markets without the MSC labels was seen as the motivation for gaining MSC certification. The Maine lobster resource has been considered one of the best managed fisheries in the world for a number of years. The industry is developing a number of strategies for strengthening and broadening markets for lobster. The rise in harvest numbers, in particular in the last few years, has made marketing a high priority.

Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association said, “The MSC certification is no silver bullet, but it gives us another tool in the toolbox, another reason to be proud about Maine lobster.”

John Hathaway of Shucks Lobster in Richmond, Maine and Linda Bean, founder of Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster raised the initial $150,000 for hiring the Marine Stewardship Council to get the process started. They also oversaw the four-year process and have so far paid for the entire $300,000 certification process costs.

More than 100 fisheries world-wide are now MSC certified. Fisheries are assed on health of the fish stock, ecosystem protection, and fishery management. MSC certification includes a process for tracing each certified lobster to its location of origin.

Sourcing is another factor of interest to consumers at this time. Sustainablity status required to be updated periodically.