Clam fishery in the Ashtamudi estuary in Kerala is the first in the country to receive Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. This will help boost sustainable fisheries while protecting the ecosystem. Ashtamudi short-neck clam fishery is the third in Asia to have received this recognition.
The MSC programme is the world’s most rigorous, science-based standard criteria for sustainable seafood. This certification implies the implementation of measures that will ensure that the resource is not overfished at the cost of the eco-system.When buyers choose to purchase MSC certified fish, fisheries are rewarded for sustainable practices. In this manner, the MSC programme thus helps to harness market forces to incentivise positive environmental change.
It also opens up the scope for other fisheries in India to work towards MSC certification that will enhance conservation and sustainability of the resource while providing greater economic returns.MSC is a joint effort of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, the Kerala State Fisheries Department and the World Wildlife Fund, along with the local fishing community.
“Ashtamudi Estuary showcases to the world that development and environment protection go hand in hand and participatory approach at the local level in managing biodiversity is an important aspect of it,” Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said.