Association of Sustainable Fisheries AGM- Brussels, April 2018
An event not to be missed for professionals in the commercial seafood industry, the Global Seafood Expo in Brussels is the world’s largest seafood trade exposition. With seven pavilions dedicated to fisheries and aquaculture, it is the ultimate setting for worldwide markets to network. An astounding 1,946 companies from 78 countries exhibited at the 2018 event.
WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) staff – John Harrison, CEO, and Guy Leyland, MSC Project Officer – attended this year’s event for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Sustainable Fisheries (ASF), WAFIC being a foundation member.
The Association of Sustainable Fisheries is an unincorporated harvester Association comprised of 25 companies and associations that collectively account for approximately 100 MSC certified, or in assessment, fisheries from around the globe.
Formed in 2006, the ASF, acts as a forum in which fisheries engaged in the MSC program can work together collectively to develop consensus positions on MSC related matters.
ASF focuses on ensuring that the MSC program is affordable, practical and consistent and that the member’s considerable investment in the MSC program is protected.
The Association has continued to evolve to become a highly influential body in persuading or guiding the development of the MSC’s fisheries standard and policies.
Guy Leyland said that principle matters discussed were the development of a revised fisheries standard, concern over the raising of the bar and the development of a labour standard that some markets will require in the future for sourcing produce from harvesters.