Bye-bye MSC bluefish? Deckboss photo
We've noted from time to time how those MSC folks are having a hard time hanging onto Alaska salmon.
MSC is the Marine Stewardship Council, a London-based certifier of sustainable fisheries.
The MSC made quite a splash with Alaska salmon back in 2000, when the fishery first won the organization's blue eco-label.
MSC-blessed seafood is said to have an advantage in the global marketplace.
For a long while, Alaska and the MSC seemed to be happy partners.
In recent years, however, many players in the Alaska seafood industry have become disenchanted with the MSC, for a variety of reasons.
This also goes for state officials, who apparently aren't too enthused about current efforts to keep MSC certification going.
A Seattle-based fishing group, the Purse Seine Vessel Owners' Association, is seeking renewal of the MSC label on behalf of seven Alaska salmon processors led by Sitka-based Silver Bay Seafoods.
Achieving this recertification necessarily would involve a lot of work for the state, specifically the Department of Fish and Game.
But apparently the department isn't much interested in playing along.
Nor is the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, which has become something of an MSC rival in pursuing an alternative certification scheme for Alaska salmon and other seafood.
Now, here's the fun part.
It seems that two top state officials will meet tomorrow with PSVOA to discuss "concerns" about the MSC certification program. Here's a
letter, co-signed by Commerce Commissioner Susan Bell and Fish and Game Commissioner Cora Campbell, seeking out the meeting.
Deckboss has seen some additional correspondence elaborating on the state's position.
"Our concerns with the MSC process have to do with governance and policy, loss of market access, and brand erosion," Bell wrote in a Jan. 3 email to Bob Kehoe, PSVOA executive director.
Interestingly, this summit on Alaska salmon won't be held in Juneau or Anchorage, but in Seattle. The two commissioners are traveling there personally.
Should be a pleasant meeting, no?