Shucks CEO on MSC commission for Maine Lobster Fishery
Governor Baldacci announced a commission to pursue MSC Certification for Maine Lobster. Shucks is proud to have our President and CEO, John Hathaway as a member of the group.
“The Maine lobster brand is known the world over for its quality and high value,” Governor Baldacci said, “and we know that the lobster resource is sustainable thanks to the efforts of Maine lobstermen. Obtaining certification by the Marine Stewardship Council is an essential step in protecting and enhancing our brand and making sure that Maine lobsters can compete in markets around the world.”
Update: March 13, 2008 Another good story about Maine Lobster and MSC certification available here
Update: March 13, 2008 Another good story about Maine Lobster and MSC certification available here
February 28, 2008
AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today named an informal working group to pursue certification of the Maine lobster industry as a sustainable fishery by the national Marine Stewardship Council (MCS), an independent nonprofit organization that promotes responsible fishing practices.
“The Maine lobster brand is known the world over for its quality and high value,” Governor Baldacci said, “and we know that the lobster resource is sustainable thanks to the efforts of Maine lobstermen. Obtaining certification by the Marine Stewardship Council is an essential step in protecting and enhancing our brand and making sure that Maine lobsters can compete in markets around the world.”
Governor Baldacci said a growing number of major food retailers, including Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, Target and Cosco, will only carry seafood that carries the sustainable certification by the Marine Stewardship Council. And seafood industries – including Western Australia Rock Lobster, Alaskan salmon and Oregon shrimp – have already achieved sustainable certification.
“If we fail to take this step toward sustainability, Maine lobsters could be shut out of major markets in this country and particularly in Europe where the market is demanding sustainability for many products,” Governor Baldacci said. “This could cost Maine jobs and diminish Maine’s brand. Certification is an opportunity to celebrate the fact that Maine lobstermen already practice good stewardship. We just need it to be documented and certified.”
Coinciding with the start of today’s Fishermen’s Forum in Rockland, the Governor said the working group will include George Lapointe, Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources, John Hathaway, president and owner of Shucks Maine Lobster of Richmond, and Linda L. Bean, owner of Port Clyde Lobster in Port Clyde. Other members are to be named later.
Building on two pre-assessments that the industry completed a year ago, the working group will develop a plan, encourage voluntary participation from the lobster industry and seek funds from private businesses to cover the cost of the eight-month process of analysis and third-party endorsement of the lobster industry’s sustainable practices. Once completed, the industry can apply for certification through the MSC, which describes itself as an independent, global organization whose role is to recognize well-managed fisheries and harness consumer preference bearing the MSC label.
The certification process for the Maine lobster industry follows Maine’s leadership in green certification of the State’s woods products and timberlands.
“The State as a whole should be recognized as achieving sustainable, responsible practices for all its natural resources. Given the market demand for sustainable products, this is a positive and powerful calling card for our fishing, farming and paper industries,” Governor Baldacci said.
The Marine Stewardship Council is an international nonprofit organization that was created in 1997 to promote solutions to the problem of overfishing and its impacts on the world’s oceans. The MSC runs an internationally recognized environmental certification and eco-labeling program for sustainability in wild capture fisheries.
Governor Creates Working Group to Pursue Sustainable Fishery Certification for Lobster Industry.
