“Best Tasting Crab in the World" Receives MSC Certification
Certificate Awarded by SCS Global Services
EMERYVILLE, Calif., July 21, 2016 /3BL Media/ - The West Coast Deep Sea Crab Fishery, operating off the coast of Western Australia, has earned certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard, the world’s premiere fishery certification program. The independent assessment was conducted by SCS Global Services, a leading third-party auditor and MSC-accredited certification body.
Award winning chef Rene Redzepi of the Copenhagen 2-Michelin-Star restaurant, Noma, described this as the "best tasting crab in the world" during his visit to Sydney, Australia earlier this year. Noma has been ranked “Best Restaurant in the World” four times, and Australian crystal crab, caught in deep waters of Western Australia, is featured on the Australian pop-up menu.
“This certification is good news for restaurants and consumers who love crab,” said Dr. Sabine Daume, head of the SCS MSC Assessment Team on the project. “The operators of the West Coast Deep Sea Crab Fishery have completed a very thorough process to demonstrate their compliance with the MSC standard. Moreover, their commitment to certification means that they will be making continuous improvements as part of the ongoing MSC certification process.”
The 18-month assessment focused on deep sea crab, also known as crystal crab (Chaceon albus), caught by pots. The assessment, carried out in accordance with the MSC Principles and Criteria for sustainable fishing, included detailed documentation, stakeholder interviews, and on-site auditing and evaluation of fishery operations. The health of the stock, the impacts on the ecosystem, and the management system structures and functions were among the performance issues reviewed.
“We are excited to let our customers to know that the most delicious crab in the world is now also one of the most responsibly produced,” said Guy Leland, spokesperson for the Western Australia Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC). “MSC certification means that we are paying attention to all the details of how we bring crab to market, assuring that our members take their responsibility to the environment seriously.”
An international not-for-profit, the MSC is the world’s leading science-based standard and ecolabelling program for wild capture fisheries. Through MSC’s rigorous traceability standard, institutional and organizational buyers, retailers, consumers, and stakeholders are assured that seafood carrying the blue eco label meets internationally recognized standards for environmental sustainability.
The certification body, SCS, is a global leader in third-party quality, environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, power generation, retail, and more. SCS was the first independent certification body accredited to conduct assessments under the MSC standard, certifying fisheries and seafood products around the world. SCS is a chartered benefit corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
