Fisheries and Aquaculture
April 18, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture:

Newfoundland’s Atlantic Cod Fishery First to Receive MSC Certification

Mr. Speaker, the 3Ps cod fishery located off Newfoundland’s south coast recently became Canada’s first Atlantic cod fishery to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.

Our government is committed to the sustainability of its valuable seafood industry to ensure the long-term vitality of harvested species, the health of our oceans and the future viability of rural communities. In fact, in 2008, Newfoundland and Labrador’s inshore northern shrimp fishery became the first MSC-certified fishery in Canada. More than 90 per cent of our aquaculture operations have achieved Best Aquaculture Practices certification and more than 80 per cent of the value of Newfoundland and Labrador’s wild fisheries is MSC certified.

Seafood products from our province are exported to more than 40 countries around the world. The MSC recognizes and rewards responsible management of seafood resources, influences seafood buying behavior, and maintains the most widely respected and accepted global standard for the certification of wild capture seafood.

As world markets increasingly demand sustainable seafood, eco-certification is more important than ever if we are to continue to compete and market our products globally. It is a foremost priority for our government and for our seafood industry.

2016 04 18                              2:35 p.m.