The Russian Pollock Catcher’s Association (PCA) and the Russian Pollock Sustainability Alliance on Thursday expressed their mutual disappointment at the decision to remand the ruling that Russia’s Sea of Okhotsk pollock fishery should be certified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard, and said they are reviewing the ruling and determining their next steps.

“We are of course frustrated with the Independent Adjudicator decision…but as we have done throughout the whole MSC process to certify the Sea of Okhotsk Pollock fishery, we will respect this,” PCA Chairman German Zerev said.

Independent Adjudicator Michael Lodge, who presided over the objection process for the Russia Sea of Okhotsk pollock fishery, on Wednesday remanded the assessment back to the conformance assessment body (CAB), Intertek Moody Marine (IMM) to review and respond to portions of the assessment related to procedural and bycatch issues raised by the At-sea Processors Association in its objection earlier this year.

IMM now has until July 3 to respond to Lodge's decision.