Unalaska, AK – Alaska's pollock fishery is seeking re-certification as a sustainable fishery from the Marine Stewardship Council. The MSC provides independent, third-party certification for fisheries around the world in accordance to a three-part standard: the health of the stock, the impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem, and the management system that's in place in order to maintain the sustainability of the fishery.

The assessment will be conducted by Moody Marine using data from government sources, peer-reviewed scientific data, and input from community and fishery stakeholders.

"It's not NMFS defending its stock assessment and it's not Greenpeace saying it's wrong," explained MSC Americas Region Director Brad Ack. "It's an independent body taking a look at all of that data and coming up with its own determination and that's why the MSC has gained a lot of credibility in the international arena because it's that third-party look."

Ack explained that seafood bearing the MSC label is highly valued through out the world. "That designation has a lot of appeal in the marketplace with seafood buyers around the world who are trying to sort out the wheat from the chaff about competing claims of sustainability."

The pollock fishery first gained certification in 2005. Ack said the assessment process will be funded by the At-Sea Processors Association and will take about a year to complete. The size of the fishery, both in volume and area, as well as the important role pollock plays in the overall ecosystem make the assessment process more complex than for other fisheries. You can become involved with the assessment process by signing up on the MSC website.