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Sustainability Certification

Verifying that Alaska seafood is managed responsibly and sustainably

Sustainability is nothing new in Alaska. Alaska has always been deeply committed to ensuring that its seafood can be enjoyed by generations to come. In order to provide credible verification of what Alaska has been doing for over fifty years, Alaska Seafood companies offer a choice in certification: Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM). Both MSC and RFM provide independent, third-party certification of the management of the major Alaska commercial fisheries. The certification helps to enhance the Alaska origin as a leading source of sustainable seafood. Certification provides additional assurance to buyers, markets, and stakeholders that seafood from Alaska is responsibly managed.

In 2004, AFDF received a grant to investigate the feasibility of MSC certification for the Pacific cod fishery. Since that time, AFDF has been actively involved in seafood sustainability certification as clients on behalf of industry participants.

Currently, AFDF is the Client for the MSC and RFM certifications of Pacific cod and Alaska Salmon and the RFM certifications for Pacific Halibut and Sablefish.

Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM)

Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) is a third-party certification program for wild-capture fisheries, similar to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). Fisheries are independently assessed and scored against a set of criteria, and must meet these criteria in order to become certified. Certification is valid for five years with annual surveillance audits.

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a global nonprofit organization that works to end overfishing around the world. The MSC works with scientists, fisheries, industry experts, and other nonprofits. The MSC’s goal is to improve the way our ocean is fished through the MSC Fisheries Standard and Chain of Custody Standard. The MSC program incentivizes sustainable fishing practices globally.