Russia takes another stab at Marine Stewardship Council certification for Western Bering Sea pollock fishery

The Russian Pollock Catchers Association (PCA) has formally entered the Western Bering Sea region of the Russian pollock fishery into the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification process, the group's second attempt at securing certification for the fishery after a five-year hiatus.

The PCA entered the Western Bering Sea mid-water trawl fishery into the MSC process on Sept. 25, with certification group Lloyd's Register putting forward a draft assessment based on initial data provided by PCA.

Lloyd’s estimates that the final certification for the fishery could come as early as June 2021, but the assessment process will require public input, and may face challenges from NGOs or rival harvesting groups -- a factor that delayed prior efforts to earn MSC certification in the Russian pollock fishery.