MSC Grants Certification by Evaluating Marine Ecosystem and Fish Species Protection and Compliance with International Regulations
Lee Myung-woo, CEO of Dongwon Industries (center right), and Seo Jong-seok, MSC Korea Representative (center left), are holding the MSC certification award ceremony at the Dongwon Industries headquarters on the 3rd and taking a photo together.
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] Dongwon Industries announced on the 6th that it has obtained MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification for sashimi-grade tuna (longline catch), following its achievement as the first domestic seafood company to receive MSC fishery certification from MSC, the most prestigious global non-profit organization in the sustainable seafood sector.
Previously, in October last year, Dongwon Industries was recognized for sustainability by becoming the first domestic seafood company to obtain MSC certification for purse seine fisheries targeting canned tuna species such as skipjack and yellowfin tuna. By consecutively acquiring MSC certification for longline fisheries targeting sashimi-grade tuna, Dongwon Industries has solidified its status as a leading company in sustainable fisheries. It is the world's first fishing company operating both purse seine and longline vessels to receive MSC certification for both fishing methods.
On the 3rd, Dongwon Industries and MSC held an MSC certification award ceremony and a business agreement signing event at the Dongwon Industries building in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by Dongwon Industries CEO Lee Myung-woo and MSC Korea representative Seo Jong-seok, among others.
MSC, established in 1996 as a global non-profit organization to address indiscriminate overfishing and promote sustainable fisheries, evaluates over 30 criteria throughout the fishing process, including marine ecosystem and species protection and compliance with international regulations, to grant MSC certification to companies. Dongwon Industries received MSC certification in recognition of its outstanding achievements in various areas such as crew human rights and labor conditions, marine pollution prevention, and marine ecosystem protection.
In addition to MSC certification, Dongwon Industries is conducting various projects for sustainable fisheries based on the philosophy of passing on healthy marine resources to future generations.
Dongwon Industries plans to produce high value-added products certified by MSC that enable "ethical consumption" and introduce them to domestic and international markets. Through these products, Dongwon Industries aims not only to pioneer the domestic sustainable seafood market but also to actively target overseas markets, with a goal of generating an added value of 3 billion KRW annually.
Currently, Dongwon Industries owns the world's largest fleet of 40 vessels, including 20 purse seine vessels and 14 longline vessels, and is leading efforts in marine environmental protection and fisheries resource management. Dongwon Industries is the only Korean member of SeaBOS (Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship), a global consortium of seafood companies, and is continuously striving for sustainable fisheries by participating in other sustainable seafood certification programs such as FIP (Fishery Improvement Project).
CEO Lee stated, "Due to recent misunderstandings about illegal fishing and human rights violations surrounding the distant-water fishing industry, consumers are continuously demanding corporate transparency. As the first and only domestic company with MSC fishery certification, we will work to dispel negative perceptions of fishing activities and promote the spread of sustainable fisheries within the domestic seafood industry."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
