Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard (RFVS) has certified a cold-water prawn fishing vessel for the first time in the certification's history. The RFVS certification is a part of the Global Seafood Alliance's Best Seafood Practices (BSP). The certified vessel, Merike, is a 70-meter trawler and it targets cold-water prawns in the North Atlantic along the eastern Canadian coastline, the Barents Sea, and up to Svalbard.
Firstly, the RFVS certification sets standards for ensuring wild-caught seafood is harvested and processed ethically. Also, concerning the well-being of all workers across the supply chain. Finally, confirms that the vessel is providing decent working conditions, meeting operational best practices, and ensuring crew rights, worker safety, and their well-being.
A third-party audit, completed by the certification body Acoura Marine, issued the RFVS certificate. Acoura Marine is based in the United Kingdom and is part of Lloyds Register QA. Lyons Seafood, which sponsored the project, is a part of the Labeyrie Fine Foods Group, a France-based supplier of prawns, shellfish, and other seafood items.
Currently, there are 29 vessels certified to the RFVS since the first vessel, Antarctic Discovery, attained certification last January. Antarctic Discovery belongs to the Australian Longline Fishing and operates in the Marine Stewardship Council-certified Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish fishery.
