Media release
28 August 2015
Australians will now have even more oppor-tuna-ties to eat independently certified, sustainable seafood with Walker Seafoods Australia Pty Ltd becoming the first tuna business in Australia to receive the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ‘blue tick’ for their sustainable fishing of albacore, yellowfin tuna and swordfish.
Operating in the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) managed Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery, Walker Seafoods is the second MSC certification awarded this week to Commonwealth fishing operators for their sustainable fishing practices.
AFMA was very pleased to see MSC highlighting our management as a major contributor to Walker Seafoods sustainable fishing operations with the report stating:
The key strengths of the Walkers Seafood operations derive from the strong and precautionary Australian fisheries management framework, as well as the good relationship and level of consultation between AFMA and the industry. (MSC, 2015, p. 5)
AFMA’s CEO Dr James Findlay congratulated Walker Seafoods on its certification and said that AFMA would continue to work closely with industry, scientists and other stakeholders to ensure healthy, sustainable fisheries.
“This is another fantastic result for the Commonwealth fishing industry,” Dr Findlay said.
“Congratulations to Walker Seafoods.
“AFMA is pleased that the Commonwealth fishing industry continues to demonstrate the sustainability of its fishing operations.
“As recognised by MSC’s report we are seeing the results of AFMA’s science-based, precautionary approach to fisheries management on the sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries.”
For more information on AFMA’s sustainable fisheries management visit afma.gov.au.