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The
Alaska Department of Fish and Game is looking to get out of the Marine
Stewardship Council process as the client for Alaska salmon. KMXT’s Casey Kelly
has more.
Tim Barry,
director of communications for the department of fish and game, says nothing
has been decided yet, but that because it’s rare to have a government agency
deal with the MSC on certification, the department is seeking a group from the
industry to take its place.
(Barry
1 :25s “…as a client of MSC.”)
The
department has been the party that’s dealt with the MSC’s eco-labeling process
since Alaska salmon became the first major U-S fishery certified under the
program eight years ago. The blue labels are considered an important marketing
tool, appearing on seafood products that are proven to come from sustainable
fisheries. Last year Alaska salmon was re-certified, meaning products from the
fishery can continue to use the label through 2012.
But Barry says
getting out of the business of eco-label certification, would allow the
department to concentrate on what it does best.
(Barry 2 :40s “…of actually managing fisheries.”)
Brad
Ack is MSC’s America’s director. He says it shouldn’t be too hard to find
another client to replace fish and game.
(Ack
1 :09s “…to make sure that happens.”)
Until
it’s up for re-certification again, Ack says the major role of the client is to
conduct an annual audit to make sure nothing major has changed in the fishery.
(Ack
2 :16s “…four-and-a-half years from now.”)
Ack
wouldn’t rule out the possibility of re-certification taking place by
geographical area or species, but says MSC would prefer to have Alaska salmon
certified as a whole as has been done in the past.
(Ack
3 :13s “…make it even better.”)
Worldwide
more than 15-hundred seafood products bear the MSC’s eco-label. Ack says Alaska
salmon is the most widely marketed fishery certified under the program.
I’m
Casey Kelly.
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