Part of the South African albacore tuna pole and line fishery, represented by ICV Africa, has become the first to successfully achieve MSC certification, after taking part in the In-Transition to MSC (ITM) programme.
A second client group from the same fishery, represented by the South African Sustainable Tuna Association is currently being assessed.
Around 2,500 people work in the fishery, which operates largely out of the harbours at Cape Town and Hout Bay. The total catch under assessment for ICV Africa’s certificate is 2,500 tonnes – nearly half of the total catch volume for the fishery.
Michelle Bellinger, chief executive Officer at ICV Africa, said that sustainability was integral to business. “Our clients, and increasingly the end consumers, expect it of us,” she said.
“The ITM program provided us with a clear framework and tools, and the necessary scrutiny, to improve our practices to achieve the required level for MSC certification.”
The MSC initially began working with the fishery in 2018, through the four-year Fish for Good project which aimed to guide fisheries in South Africa, Indonesia and Mexico towards more sustainable practices.
After passing the ITM entry requirements in 2020, the fishery received funding from the MSC’s Ocean Stewardship Fund to help it improve its practices. The pole and line method produces very little bycatch but better data collection was needed to determine which threatened species were being encountered.
“Congratulations are due to ICV Africa for becoming only the second fishery, and first tuna fishery, in South Africa to achieve MSC certification,” said Michael Marriott, programme director: Africa, of MSC.
After five years running the ITM programme as a pilot, the MSC is planning to launch a permanent version of the programme later in 2024.
“Pathways exist for all kinds of fisheries to promote their responsible practices and, where necessary, to improve their practice in order to gain MSC certification,” said Marriott.
