Right-holders in the South African trawl fishery for hake are aiming for a fifth certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and are intensifying efforts to present robust evidence of sustainable fishing practices.
A team of independent assessors is expected to complete the final audit of the fishery under the current MSC certification (2021–2026) by August. Between May and August, it will scrutinize every aspect of the fishery’s management as the industry pursues another five-year certification term.
“The MSC Fisheries Standard is a demanding benchmark that reflects the growing global emphasis on the environmental impacts of fishing,” says SADSTIA Chairman, Innocent Dwayi. “SADSTIA is dedicating significant resources to ensure we can present compelling evidence of sustainable and responsible fishing practices to the MSC-appointed assessors.”
The SADSTIA-funded observer programme, which deploys scientific observers on approximately 9% of fishing voyages in both the deep-sea and inshore trawl fisheries, collects vital information on trawl catch composition, interactions between trawl gear and endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species, as well as evidence of the fishery’s impact on seabed habitats – observers gather data on vulnerable marine ecosystem (VME) indicator species, such as sponges, hard corals and sea pens.
To complement the data collected by observers, SADSTIA has implemented a self-reporting system that requires each vessel in the fleet to submit detailed reports, with a particular emphasis on ETP species and VME indicators. To ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data, the Association is in the process of appointing an environmental officer who will work closely with the fleet to oversee and maintain high-quality reporting standards.
A global shift in fisheries management
The self-reporting system requires accurate reporting of interactions with ETP species, including seabirds, seals, turtles and sharks, as well as the capture of invertebrates like sponges and hard corals, some of which may indicate the interaction of trawl gear with VMEs.
Scientific consultant Mike Bergh of OLSPS, a data specialist, explains that the introduction of this self-reporting system reflects a significant global shift in fisheries management.
“There is concern about the impact of fishing, not just on target species, but on the environment and other species. The profile of environmental impacts has been raised around the world and that is what we have to do to manage the fishery,” says Bergh.
Data expert and fisheries management expert, Mike Bergh
Robert Landman, Chairman of SADSTIA’s Scientific Committee, emphasizes the importance of fishing vessels as sources of accurate data.
“The MSC wants to ensure that fishing is done correctly and the only way we can show them is to collect information accurately and concisely,” he explains.
Some vessels in the fishing fleet have been self-reporting for several months, while others are receiving training and support from SADSTIA and its partners. This ensures that skippers and fishing crews regularly submit reports on interactions with ETP and VME species.
Charlene Coetzee, Resources Manager at trawling company I&J, explains that the reporting function on I&J vessels is carried out by personnel in the onboard fish factories.
“We have food safety champions on every vessel,” she says. “On the freezer vessels, we have a quality controller (QC) who handles all reporting, and they work closely with the skipper. On the wet fish (fresh fish) vessels, the factory manager is responsible for reporting.”
Coetzee adds that, on all vessels, the skipper is ultimately responsible for ensuring that reporting is completed accurately and submitted in the correct format.
Chairman of SADSTIA’s Scientific Committee, Robert Landman
The latest certification period will end in 2026
South Africa’s hake trawl fishery was the first hake fishery in the world to be certified as sustainable and well-managed by the MSC. It has held this certification for four consecutive five-year periods since 2004. The current certification period will end in 2026, with the re-assessment process expected to begin later this year. The target date for recertification is February 2026.
The value of MSC certification to the trawl fishery for hake is substantial. A study conducted in 2016 found that the loss of MSC certification could severely affect hake prices and market structure, as well as lead to significant job losses in shore-based employment. In a worst-case scenario, this could result in the loss of 1 421 skilled workers.
If MSC certification were lost, the contribution of the fishery to South Africa’s gross domestic product could decrease by between 28.3% and 54.3%, or between R2.4 billion and R4.7 billion (based on an annual economic contribution of R8.6 billion, as measured by economists in 2020).
