AS South Africa’s hake trawl fishery prepares for reassessment by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), fleet operators are intensifying efforts to improve at-sea data collection. The industry aims to secure its fifth certification from the globally recognised eco-labelling body.
In February, key figures from the trawling sector — including skippers, vessel operators, and company executives — gathered in Cape Town for a workshop on accurate data reporting. The session was led by the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) and its scientific collaborators.
“The whole face of fisheries management is changing,” said data expert Mike Bergh. He noted that Version 3 of the MSC Fisheries Standard increases focus on the environmental impact of fishing, particularly interactions with endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species such as seabirds, seals, turtles, and sharks.
Crews must also log catches of invertebrates like sponges and corals to monitor potential impacts on vulnerable seabed habitats.
Robert Landman, Chair of SADSTIA’s Scientific Committee, stressed the importance of accurate reporting: “The MSC wants to know fishing is done correctly, and the only way to prove that is with concise, accurate information.”
SADSTIA and its partners continue to provide training to help crews meet evolving requirements. Reassessment is expected between May and August 2025, with re-certification targeted for February 2026.
MSC certification is crucial: a loss could reduce the sector’s GDP contribution by up to R4,7-billion and cost more than 1 400 jobs.
