Marine Stewardship Certification Defined

Fishermen’s Voice Staff

Richmond Maine lobster processor John Hathaway answered a few questions posed by the Fishermen’s Voice regarding Marine Stewardship Certification. Hathaway is president of Shucks Maine Lobster , a company which produces a range of lobster products for world markets. The company uses leading edge technology to maximize quality and convenience in their products.

1. What is the definition of traceability under MSC? What are the limits of traceability and chain of custody?

The MSC does not define traceability, but they have established a standard to ensure their logo is not applied fraudulently. The value of the MSC logo would be diminished if it were applied to products coming from fisheries that did not meet the MSC’s strict sustainability criteria. The MSC wants to ensure that consumers know their logo really means something. For this reason, they’ve developed a chain of custody standard. See the response to question number 3 for more information, and consult the MSC website that deals with this at http://www.msc.org/about-us/standards/standards/chain-of-custody#download-the-msc-chain.

2. The Maine / Canada relationship. How will MSC play a role in the Maine lobster that goes to Canada and comes back to US?

Maine Lobster (or Maine Lobster products processed in Maine) that has become certified by entering the Chain of Custody at the first point of sale and continues in the Chain of Custody as prescribed by MSC certification rules, can be sold in Canada with the MSC Eco-label and can be advertised as MSC Certified Maine Lobster. 

MSC Maine Lobster sold into Canada for processing purposes will not be able to utilize the MSC Maine Lobster Eco-label.

This does not preclude Maine Lobster being sold into Canada for processing purposes. It only means that the final products, even if processed using Maine Lobster, cannot utilize the MSC Eco-label. 

We believe the MSC label will be instrumental in helping to strengthen the Maine brand. That brand will be weakened if MSC-certified Maine lobster is stamped with “Product of Canada.” Any lobster product that is stamped “Product of Canada” will not be eligible to display the MSC Maine Lobster logo.

3. What is the mechanism that enables tracing back to the boat of origin?

See response to question 1.

Chain of Custody. Every entity that purchases an MSC Certified Maine Lobster and wishes to sell it as an MSC Certified Maine Lobster must be MSC Chain of Custody certified. This generally costs about $1,500. Each year, MSC conducts an audit of each certified Chain of Custody entity to ensure the integrity of the traceability system.

For example, through the Chain of Custody system, MSC Maine Lobster sold in a retail store in Florida can be traced back to the wharf and possibly even the boat on which it was caught. People like to know where their food comes from...especially seafood. They like to know that they are not doing any harm to the environment when they buy their seafood. The Chain of Custody system builds trust in the Maine Lobster brand with the consumer. They know they are buying real Maine Lobster, not ‘imposter lobster’ such as langostino or warm water lobster sold as “Maine” lobster. They are assured that their purchase is not harming any overfished fishery or the environment. It builds trust in the Maine Lobster brand.

4. Will any of the costs of MSC be transferred to lobstermen?

The Fund for the Advancement of Sustainable Maine Lobster, the MSC Client, stated at its time of origin and continues to maintain its policy that the Fund will operate at no cost to the Lobstermen. The MSC Certification was achieved with no cost to the Lobstermen and no changes on the water for the Lobstermen.

5. How will MSC change the way lobstermen operate?

The MSC Certification does not require any changes in the way Lobstermen operate. As noted elsewhere in this document, the reviewers went over all aspects of fishery operation, management and impact and found it’s sustainable just as it is now.

6. MSC = Sustainably harvested. What is the MSC definition of sustainably harvested?

The MSC doesn’t have a single definition for sustainably harvested. Instead, they have established standards against which fisheries can be evaluated. Here’s an attempt to sum up a very complicated system, followed by the relevant section on their website which gives a clear but lengthier response: MSC standards examine three main aspects of any fishery – 1.) the health of the stock itself, 2.) the impact the fishery has on the ecosystem, and 3.) the effectiveness and fairness of the management system. There are 31 individual categories that are examined, each of which falls under one of these main principles. In order to become certified, a fishery must score an average of 80 or above on each of these three main principles, and cannot score below 60 on any one category.

Here’s what it says on the MSC website:
The MSC standard has 3 overarching principles that every fishery must prove that it meets:

Principle 1: Sustainable fish stocks

The fishing activity must be at a level which is sustainable for the fish population. Any certified fishery must operate so that fishing can continue indefinitely and is not overexploiting the resources. 

Principle 2: Minimising environmental impact

Fishing operations should be managed to maintain the structure, productivity, function and diversity of the ecosystem on which the fishery depends.

Principle 3: Effective management

The fishery must meet all local, national and international laws and must have a management system in place to respond to changing circumstances and maintain sustainability.
The three principles are supported by 31 more detailed criteria.

7. What aspects of the fishery have they considered? - traps, all fishing areas, V-notch, specific legal lobster size, inshore/offshore fishery, others?

The reviewers considered all aspects of Maine’s fishery, which is a trap-only fishery. The geographic area covered is LCMA 1, which includes both state and federal waters. They reviewed all aspects of the fishery in their 162-page report, available at http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/fisheries-in-the-program/in-assessment/north-west-atlantic/Maine_lobster_trap_fishery/assessment-downloads-1/20130308_PCR_LOB70.pdf
All aspects of management (including V-notches, minimum and maximum size restrictions, escape panels, etc.) were evaluated, as were the impacts of the fishery on the environment and the health of the stock itself.

In recent months, a lot of people have asked “but did they consider this aspect, or this aspect, etc. etc…. the answer is yes. This took so long because they went over this fishery with a fine-toothed comb. We were certified because we are a sustainable fishery no matter how you look at us.

8. There is a trap limit, but no limit to the number of lobster taken. How does that figure into their assessment?

As noted above, all aspects of management were evaluated. The amount of lobster is not specifically capped, but the number of lobstermen is, as is the number of traps that each lobsterman can deploy. In fisheries management this is called an “input control.” The MSC has certified over 200 fisheries, some of which are governed with input controls, some of which are governed with output controls such as quotas.

Summary

MSC Certification is a certification of sustainability and not a regulation. Lobstermen are not required to pay anything or do anything. Every lobster caught by a Maine licensed Lobsterman in Area 1 is eligible to enter the MSC Chain of Custody at the first point of sale. Client Group members in good standing can enter the Maine Lobster into the Chain of Custody at the first point of sale. Joining the Client Group is voluntary. There will be costs involved but it is not mandatory that any dealer or processor joins. But, only a Client Group member can enter the Maine Lobster into the Chain of Custody and this must be done at the first point of sale. – John Hathaway

The Marine Stewardship Council certification structure

Every MSC Certified fishery has a “Client” who holds the certificate. The Client for Maine Lobster is “The Fund for the Advancement of Sustainable Maine Lobster.” I am the Chair of the Fund. We are currently working on our “Sharing Mechanism” which will outline how other Maine dealers and processors can become Client Group Members and, thus, be able to enter Maine Lobster into the MSC Chain of Custody at the “first point of sale” as required. 

As it may sound, this is a relatively detailed agreement and we expect to have it completed at some point later in the season. We have already submitted our “Sharing Letter” to MSC which states our intent is to share the certificate with those who join the Client Group according to the terms of the “Sharing Mechanism.” – John Hathaway

You can find more information at www.msc.org and www.mscmainelobster.com.