SGS Product & Process Certification - Marine Stewardship Council

Client Action
Plan
13.3 Recommendations
authorities and scientists (IMARES and ICES) to develop a system
of collecting information that can be used to evaluate the
performance of the fishery against these management objectives,
and which includes independent review.
Timescale: By the third surveillance visit, evidence is required of
that information is being collected and used to evaluate the
performance of the fishery against management objectives.
Ensure that proper (scientific) monitoring and evaluation
management options takes place within the fishery management
system.
In addition to the four Conditions outlined above, the assessment team consider that
improvements on the performance of the fishery against the MSC Principles and Criteria are
required in some areas that relate to Performance Indicators where the client vessels scored
80 or better.
The assessment team has made a number of recommendations. These are not required to
maintain certification and the action taken and timescales are at the discretion of the client.
Recommendations are made in respect of:
Recommendation 1 –Research plan (Performance Indicator 3.2.4)
The Client should encourage IMARES to extend the collection of biological information on sea
bass in the Netherlands, and to be involved in any relevant research
Recommendation 2 – Retained species and Species specific management
system (Performance Indicators 2.1.2 and 3.2.3)
Though there are sanctions to deal with non-compliance, and compliance by the UoC is
probably high, the actual control of small-scale landings is considered rather poor. This could
result in underreporting of quota species (e.g. cod), because cod landings under 50 kg of wet
weight are not counted against individual quotas. The Client should address this issue in its
fisheries management plan, and implement appropriate controls to prevent under-reporting of
cod catches.
Recommendation 3 – Ecosystem Management strategy (Performance
Indicators 2.5.2)
The Client‘s management plan should require that litter is taken to shore and disposed of in a
responsible way, and that VBHL continue to look into the possibilities to replace the lead in the
baits with another metal (steel).
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