Fogo Island Co-operative is 100 percent committed to MSC’s sustainability principles

Fogo Island Co-op Shrimp Fishery Seeks MSC Certification

The Fogo Island Co-operative cold water shrimp (Pandalus borealis) fishery has entered full assessment in the MSC's (Marine Stewardship Council) certification program for sustainable and well-managed fisheries. 

The fishery’s main products are shell-off cooked and peeled shrimp, with 90 percent sold to markets in Europe and 10 percent sold to the United States

The Fogo Island Co-operative fishery operates within the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador from the Hopedale Channel to areas southeast of Newfoundland. If approved, products from the fishery will be eligible to bear the blue MSC ecolabel.

Northern shrimp is a significant commercial species in the Northwest Atlantic and is caught by independent inshore fishing vessels using trawl gear. Fogo Island, the largest of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore islands, sits in the heart of Shrimp Fishing Areas 5, 6 and 7 and supports historic traditional fishing settlements and culture.

The Fogo Island Co-operative markets crab, cod, capelin, sea cucumber, turbot, herring, mackerel, and shrimp

The Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited seeks to hold its own MSC certificate for shrimp processed at its plant in the community of Seldom. The Fogo Island Co-operative was part of a pre-existing MSC certificate for northern shrimp held in association with other Newfoundland and Labrador companies involved in the shrimp industry. If successful, the Fogo Island Co-operative has expressed its intention to share the MSC certificate with other interested shrimp operators in the area.

The fishery’s main products are shell-off cooked and peeled shrimp, with 90 percent sold to markets in Europe and 10 percent sold to the United States. This year through mid-September 2010 overall landings for all vessels fishing in Shrimp Fishing Areas 5, 6, and 7 totalled 58,131 metric tons.

Phil Barnes

Phil Barnes, speaking for the Fogo Island Co-operative says, “Fisheries have sustained Fogo Island and our independent way of life for generations. We are 100 percent committed to MSC’s sustainability principles and to satisfying the responsible sourcing requirements of our most discerning cold water shrimp customers. We strongly believe MSC is now the global standard for assuring consumers that their seafood product choices come from well-managed, environmentally-friendly and sustainable fisheries. We also know the MSC ecolabel will help us tell the unique story of Fogo Island’s commitment to sustainable seafood harvesting practices to the world.”

"Shrimp is an important commodity in the global seafood marketplace and there is growing demand for shrimp products certified to the MSC standard," said Kerry Coughlin, the Americas regional director for the MSC. "We appreciate this fishery's commitment to sustainability and hope they will successfully complete their certification and be able to display the ecolabel on products from their fishery."

About Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited

Back in 1967 the people of Fogo Island had to make a life-altering decision: leave their beloved island home and resettle on the mainland of Newfoundland and Labrador or stay and find a way to make it on their own. They stayed and they made it. To ensure their survival, they turned to what they knew best for hundreds of years: the sea.

Fogo Island Co-operative products come direct from the sea, to the plant

Following a process of community self-discovery now known worldwide as the Fogo Process, the fishers formed the Fogo Island Co-operative Society, a community based enterprise on which the economy of the island is built. They built more boats. They built bigger boats. They took over processing facilities abandoned by private enterprise. They built more plants. They sought new markets. And the Fogo Island Co-op has not only survived, it has succeeded.

Today, Fogo Island and the Co-op are a major force in the international fish harvesting community. The Co-op has a fleet of 30 long liners, three fish plants, two buying stations, a laboratory, welding shop and a marine service centre complete with fishing supplies outlet. The Co-op markets in the United States, Japan, China, Taiwan, Sweden, and Germany, and have developed a rock-solid reputation for honesty, integrity, pride in performance, and world-class quality.

Fogo Island Cooperative's herring and mackerel

Anchored in the North Atlantic, Fogo Island remains totally focused on the harvesting and processing of ocean products. With dockside landing, the products come direct from the sea, to the plant, to the package, in a matter of hours, crab, cod, capelin, sea cucumber, turbot, herring, mackerel, and shrimp.

Photos: Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited

Margaret E.L. Stacey
Editor Companies and Products
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Address:	Seldom - P.O. Box 70
City:	Fogo Island
State/ZIP:	New Foundland and Labrador (A0G 3Z0)
Country:	Canada
Phone:	+1 709-627-3452
Fax:	+1 709-627-3495
E-Mail:	[email protected]
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