Certification

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

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. Limitations on the harvest volumes of individual fish stocks come from Mother Nature herself. Information on fishing volumes (catch statistics), monitoring of fish stocks and estimates provided by researchers from numerous countries all form the basis for the fishing quotas established.

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.

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 & halibut within 12 nautical miles-

The cod (Skrei) mainly lives its life out in the Barents Sea, and migrate to the coast to spawn in the winter. Skrei fishing takes place mainly from January to April along the coast of northern Norway; from Lofoten and up to Finnmark.

Additionally there is a coastal cod/haddock stock in Norway which is similar to the Skrei in appearance (but is genetically different). The coastal cod/haddock is located along the Norwegian coast all year round. During the Skrei catch season a number of coastal cod/haddock are caught as a bycatch. An important question raised by the MSC concerns the sustainability of the coastal cod/Haddock 

There is no doubt that the Skrei cod stock is sustainably managed. But the coastal cod/haddock is more in doubt and was up  for MSC consideration in April 26^th 2021. The planned changes to the MSC certification of North East Arctic haddock came into effect on 26^th of April 2021, while its North East Arctic cod certification both outside and inside the 12 nautical miles has been temporarily extended up to maximum 6 months form 26^th April 2021.

Haddock caught outside of the 12 mile limit retains with a new five year period  MSC certification and Lerøy with the integrated trawl fleet of Havfisk, will continue to catch and process MSC certified haddock.

There is considerable effort from the Norwegian fisheries management authorities to address the management of the coastal cod fishery. The MSC application is forwarded and hopefully new certifications for cod inside and outside the 12 nautical mile and for haddock inside 12 nautical mile will be issued before 2022.  

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.

Main goal: Increase the share of MSC certified fish to 93 % by 2022

In 2020 we obtained 5% less share of MSC certified fish then 2019. This is mainly because of lower catch volumes of cod, saith and haddock. We still believe in a high catch share of MSC certified fish in 2021 and will obtain the long term goal of 93% by 2022.