Fishery prepares for recertification

Trawl industry remains committed to sustainability

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) is preparing to undergo assessment for a fifth certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a globally recognised ecolabel for sustainable wild-caught seafood.

Describing the re-assessment as more than a “procedural review”, SADSTIA issued a statement noting the intention to ensure continuous improvement and adaptive management in a bid to maintain world-class standards while addressing challenges such as climate change, shifting markets and evolving regulatory frameworks.

“The 2025 re-assessment will mark another chapter in SADSTIA's sustainability journey, reinforcing its position as a global leader in responsible fisheries management and underscoring our commitment to the long-term health of South Africa’s marine resources,” said Johann Augustyn, Executive Secretary of SADSTIA.

With international buyers increasingly seeking MSC-certified seafood, the South African trawl fishery’s certification has secured access to premium markets. This has enabled SADSTIA members to sustain approximately 12,400 jobs and contribute an estimated R8.5 billion annually to the South African economy. The MSC certification demonstrates that sustainability is not only an environmental imperative but also a sound business strategy.

“The MSC Standard is regularly updated to reflect current scientific understanding on what it means to be sustainable. For 20 years the South African hake trawl fishery has played a leading role in working with government, scientists and NGOs to ensure the long-term future of the hake resource and the ecosystem that it depends on. We’re very pleased to have been able to recognise the fishery’s contribution to research and to improving operations in its efforts to achieve best practice,” said Michael Marriott, MSC Programme Director for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Having successfully completed four previous five-year certification periods, SADSTIA has developed a comprehensive framework that addresses the three pillars of the MSC Fisheries Standard: sustainable stock management, minimisation of environmental impacts and effective governance.

As part of this framework, the fishery restricts trawling to a defined area, thereby protecting lightly trawled areas and maintaining natural refuges for hake. The “ring-fenced” zone covers approximately 4.4 percent of South Africa’s territorial waters and is clearly marked for compliance. 

The fishery is also consistently monitored through a dedicated scientific observer programme, funded by SADSTIA and now in its twentieth year. Observers collect critical data on catch composition, species interactions and ecosystem impacts, including the impacts of trawling on vulnerable species such as sharks, seals and seabirds. Long-term observer data underpins the science-based management of the trawl fishery for hake.

Since first achieving MSC certification in 2004, SADSTIA has consistently met the MSC’s rigorous benchmarks, adapting to shifting environmental and economic conditions. The South African trawl fishery for hake was the first hake fishery in the world to achieve MSC certification, and today holds one of the longest continuous certifications in global fisheries.

PHOTO: Fishing trawlers in Saldanha Bay. (Adobe Photostock)

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