The pearling industry stands out not only for its quality as a Western Australian (WA) product but also for its sustainability. This year, the industry secures the recertification under the prestigious Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard.
After six years of being the first one, WA's Pinctada maxima oysters recently reaffirmed their status as a sustainable gem. Therefore, they continue to lead in envriromental concerns, expanding their credentials. Among them are the hatchery-produced pearl oysters grown in WA's pristine northern waters, as well as the collection of pearl oysters from the wild.
The Cook Government remains dedicated to the sustainable management of the industry. Their main goal is supporting employment and economic growth, particularly in regional areas.
Thus, the hard work of licensees, including Paspaley Pearling Company, Clipper Pearls, Cygnet Bay Pearls, and Willie Creek Pearls, has been rewarded by MSC. These companies collaborated to extend their sustainability accreditation and encompassing the fishery's hatcheries in WA and the Northern Territory, as emphasized by Don Punch, Fisheries Minister.
As a result, the WA's seafood industry now holds the MSC 'gold standard' certification for 12 of its farms, encompassing species such as pearl, rock lobster, and abalone farming operations.
The Marine Stewardship Council actively works as an international non-profit organization. Their mission is to protect marine ecosystems and promote responsible fishing practices. Fisheries that meet the MSC's strict criteria can award the MSC certification. To achieve it, it takes into account sustainability, including minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring effective management.
The Recertification Assistance Fund offers rewards to fisheries demonstrating significant commitment to the MSC program and sustainability. This fund assists MSC certified fisheries with Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) fees during their second or subsequent recertification audits. Thus, the fund calculates grants based on the applicant's audit fee costs.
