Navigate to top
SUSTAINABILITY LIBRARY 2022 Certifications and licenses Certification fisheries

Certification fisheries

Challenge

Globally, overfishing is unfortunately more the rule than the exception, and in addition, the discarding of fish represents a large unknown factor. So-called UUU fishing (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) is a major problem worldwide.

Our operations within fisheries are based on fish as a natural resource. We therefore rely on proper management of the various species in the sea. For Lerøy to operate from a perspective of perpetuity, the marine natural resources must be managed sustainably. This means to maintain the natural dynamics of fish stocks and ecosystems so that fishing is sustainable

 

Our ambition in this area

 

Contribute to the long-term sustainability and improvements of global fish resources.

 

How we take action / What action has been taken

 

Lerøy support the MSC program. The MSC recognizes well-managed and sustainable fisheries through a certification programme. The MSC sets principles and criteria for sustainable fisheries which are used by a third party and voluntary certification programme.

The MSC recognizes well-managed and sustainable fisheries through a certification programme. The MSC sets principles and criteria for sustainable fisheries which are used by a third party and voluntary certification programme.

These principles are: 

  • The maintenance and re-establishment of healthy populations of targeted species
  • The maintenance of the integrity of ecosystems
  • The development and maintenance of effective fisheries management systems, taking into account all relevant biological, technological, economic, social, environmental and commercial

Norway has a long tradition of sustainable fisheries management. Lerøy supports Norway's fishermen's association in working to document and increase the proportion of fisheries that meet the strict criteria relating to the stock situation, ecosystem impact and management practices in the MSC's fisheries standard. In 2022, Norwegian fishing for redfish and blue halibut was certified according to the MSC.

In 2021, cod and haddock fished within 12 nm of their MSC lost their certification. Lerøy supports Norway's fishermen's association with resertifying cod and haddock within 12 nm, most likely this will happen in 2024

How we measure our impact

Lerøy has target figures for the proportion of catch that comes from fisheries that have met the strict criteria related to the stock situation, ecosystem impact and management practices.

Target and result 

In 2022, the share of catches with MSC certification was 95%, compared to 93% in 2021. The reason for the increase is MSC certification of the Norwegian fishery for turbot and blue halibut in 2022. The fisheries have shown that they meet the strict criteria related to the stock situation, ecosystem impact and management practices in MSC's fisheries standard

 

Target

2022

2021

2020

2019

Share of wild caught fish with MSC certification 

93%

95%

93%

86%

91%

 

 

MSC (MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL)

The MSC recognizes well-managed and sustainable fisheries through a certification programme. The MSC sets principles and criteria for sustainable fisheries which are used by a third party and voluntary certification programme.

The MSC recognizes well-managed and sustainable fisheries through a certification programme. The MSC sets principles and criteria for sustainable fisheries which are used by a third party and voluntary certification programme.

These principles are: 

  • The maintenance and re-establishment of healthy populations of targeted species
  • The maintenance of the integrity of ecosystems
  • The development and maintenance of effective fisheries management systems, taking into account all relevant biological, technological, economic, social, environmental and commercial

Lerøy’s strategy is to support well-managed and sustainable fisheries and increase the share of certified fish.

MSC-certification of cod & haddoch within 12 nautical miles lost its certification in 2021 while outside 12 nm is still valid. There is considerable effort from the Norwegian fisheries management authorities to address the management of the coastal cod fishery. Its unknown when MSC certification within 12 nm will be obtained, but can take several years.

Read more here

Lerøy with its integrated value chain will be less affected by the fact that haddock within 12 nautical miles will not receive an extended MSC certificate. Several of our purchasing and production facilities are located in Finnmark, the most northern part of Norway that are closest to the fishing banks outside 12 nautical miles. They are all suited to buy fresh fish caught outside of 12 nautical miles from both external Lerøy partners as well as fresh and frozen fish from our own trawler fleet in Lerøy Havfisk.