SGS and FISH Standard for Crew are pleased to announce that IRF has been awarded FISH certification for the members of Fisheries Iceland (SFS) and the National Association of Small Boat Owners (LS).
In the beginning, certification will apply to 321 vessels and an additional 497 vessels will be added to the unit of certification before the end of 2024. The fishing fleet operates under the Icelandic flag in Icelandic waters and includes freezer trawlers, pelagics, longliners and other fishing vessels and small boats. The crews fish for mostly demersal and pelagic fish stocks.
FISH Standard for Crew provides a voluntary, independent and accredited third-party certification program for labor practices on vessels in wild-capture fisheries around the world. The standard was developed to assure seafood buyers that the fish they are buying and selling is harvested by crews that are:
- Recruited and hired ethically
- Treated with respect on the vessel
- Paid properly
- Able to address grievances through a specific process
SGS awarded the certification after extensive policy and procedure review, on-site vessel inspections and face-to-face interviews of crew members.
”FISH certification provides an independent process to demonstrate operators have achieved – and maintain – the highest levels of performance with respect to fair, socially responsible labor practices,” says Ollivier Bellet, Global Manager for Responsible Business Services at SGS.
“We are very proud to get the FISH certification, a recognition that affirms our association members’ long-standing commitment to safety and responsible treatment of our crews,” said Fridrik Fridriksson, Chairman of IRF. “The FISH certification process was challenging, yet practical and fair, and pushed our fleet to improve on our already high standards.”
“Congratulations to IRF and its fleet. FISH serves as one tool harvesters in the Icelandic fishing industry can use to demonstrate to their customers and to stakeholders that their seafood is harvested from responsible sources with respect to crew treatment, compensation and onboard conditions,” noted Mike Kraft, Executive Director of FISH Standard for Crew.
Retailers and food service operators, especially in Europe, are increasingly committed to providing seafood to their consumers that is not only environmentally sustainable but also socially responsible. The third-party assurance that comes with FISH certification gives confidence to buyers and consumers that the crews who harvest seafood (like that from the fishing vessels of members of SFS and LS) are treated with respect and fairness.
The IRF joins other fleets in successfully attaining FISH certification. SGS and FISH Standard for Crew are actively working with organizations and fleets in Alaska and Papua New Guinea and are in discussions with additional organizations around the world.
For further information please contact:
Cormac O'Sullivan
Global Seafood Segment Manager, SGS
t: +353 87 1169737
About FISH Standard for Crew
FISH Standard for Crew provides a voluntary, independent and accredited third-party certification program for labor practices on vessels in wild-capture fisheries around the globe. The FISH Standard is based on ILO-C188 and related guidance and is in the process of achieving SSCI benchmark for operations at sea.
About IRF
IRF owns two standards and operates the brand of Icelandic Responsible Fisheries; Fishing Management Standard and the Chain of Custody Standard for responsible fishing operations in Icelandic waters. The founders of IRF are Fisheries Iceland (SFS) and the National Association of Small Boat Owners (LS). IRF runs the certification program, and is responsible for technical work, specifications and communication with certification bodies, etc. IRF was entrusted in 2021 to prepare and work on achieving FISH Standard for Crew certification on behalf of its founding associations.
About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
