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SEAFOOD Romo East Jutland and Isefjord blue shell mussel dredge fishery in Denmark have entered full assessment against the internationally recognised MSC standard for sustainable fishing.
If successful (and subject to traceability certification) mussels from the fishery will be eligible to bear the blue MSC ecolabel, an assurance to customers that they are sourced from a sustainable and well-managed fishery.
The Seafood Romo East Jutland and Isefjord blue shell mussel dredge fishery takes place in the Southern Kattegat and Belt Sea. The mussels (Mytilus edulis) are fished using dredges all year around but most intensively during the period mid-July to January. There are currently 6 licenses for the East Jutland fishery and 2 for the Isefjord. Products are fresh mussels and are mainly exported to mainland Europe. Seafood Rømø Company has commissioned the MSC assessment and currently operates two vessels.
“There is an increasing demand for MSC labelled products from our customers and Seafood Rømø is applying for MSC certification to meet that demand. It is a way for us to both secure the future of our business and demonstrate our sustainable fishing practices,” says Jan Rasmussen Deputy CEO at Seafood Rømø.
Minna Epps, Manager Baltic MSC says: "We are pleased to see Seafood Rømø´s blue mussel fishery entering into full assessment committing to sustainability. If successful, this blue shell mussel fishery will help meet a growing demand for sustainably sourced shellfish amongst European consumers."
The client group contracted with Moody Marine Ltd. to conduct the independent, third-party assessment, which is expected to take approximately 9 to 12 months. A team of scientific experts will be convened to evaluate the fishery based on the three Principles of the MSC standard: the sustainability of the fish stock, its impact on the environment and the management system in place.
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