Alaska seafood can be traced back through the supply chain to the fishery that was certified as part of the Alaska Certification Program

Alaska Seafood Chain Of Custody Standard Completed

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has completed its Chain of Custody Standard, and is now accepting applications for Chain of Custody Certification. This is part of ASMI’s ongoing Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-Based Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Certification Program.

To date, both Alaska Salmon and Alaska Halibut have received the FAO-based certification (Photo: ASMI)

The Chain of Custody Standard ensures that only Alaska seafood products bearing a statement “sourced from a certified Alaska fishery” can make this claim. It will ensure that all certified Alaska seafood can be traced back through the supply chain to the fishery that was certified as part of the Alaska Certification Program. To date, both Alaska Salmon and Alaska Halibut have received the FAO-based certification, and applications have been submitted for Alaska Black Cod, Alaska Pollock, and Alaska Crab.

For more than 50 years, Alaska has been dedicated to sustainable seafood (Photo: ASMI)

This Chain of Custody Certification is required for any applicant that buys seafood from a certified fishery and wishes to make the certified claim on any of their packaging.

Certified seafood handlers will be able to demonstrate effective traceability and have systems in place to ensure that the certified seafood product is not mixed with non-certified seafood.

Click on photo to read code

Every organization that takes ownership of the certified seafood, from the point of first handling after the seafood has been landed, until it is processed into the final consumer product, will need to be certified to the Chain of Custody Standard. The types of companies that will be required to apply are:

• Vessel Groups
• Primary Processor/Packers
• Secondary Processors/Canners/Manufacturers
• Distributors/Wholesalers
• Retailers/Food Service Operations

If an applicant buys seafood from a certified fishery, but does not wish to make the certified claim on any of their packaging, they will not require certification. A certification to the Chain of Custody Standard takes from one to three months and includes a number of distinct steps.

About Alaska Seafood

For more than 50 years, Alaska has been dedicated to sustainable seafood. It’s so essential to their way of life that Alaska’s constitution has a mandate that “fish … be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield principle.”

The seafood industry is Alaska’s largest private sector employer. As a result, Alaskans understand the need to protect the fisheries and surrounding habitats for future generations. This leadership in sustainable management has led to an ever-replenishing supply of wild seafood for markets around the world.

Source: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

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

Address:	311 N. Franklin Street., Suite 200
City:	Juneau
State/ZIP:	Alaska (AK 99801)
Country:	United States
Phone:	+1 907 465 5560
Fax:	+1 907 465 5572
E-Mail:	[email protected]
Skype:	https://www.instagram.com/alaskaseafood/
More about:

Print