Norway-based Aker BioMarine formally entered a comment period for the renewal of its Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, according to the company.

If successful, this will re-certify the sustainability and 100 percent traceability of Superba and Qrill, the company’s flagship krill ingredients. Aker BioMarine’s fishery went through MSC certification in 2009 and has since undergone annual audits, according to the company, adding the re-certification process takes approximately 18 months and once completed will apply to the fishery for five years.

Key stakeholders in the fishery – including skippers, scientists, fishery protection officers, NGOs (non-government organizations), fishery managers and technical support staff – were crucial to the development of this report. Some of the specific stakeholders included WWF-Norway, Greenpeace and the British Antarctic Survey, reported Aker Biomarine.

“I think this re-certification strengthens our commitment to sustainability and the high standards set by MSC,” said Sigve Nordrum, sustainability director, Aker BioMarine. “We invite all stakeholders to review the report and offer feedback as necessary.”

Nordum said during the first MSC certification process we got lower scores and needed to improve in certain areas. “This time around the draft assessment report found no conditions that needed to be improved and our scores went up in almost every area. We are pleased with the results of the re-certification process and think the report puts the krill fishery in a very positive light,” he said.

When the comment period closes in September, the independent Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) will review and address any stakeholder comments submitted. Then, the CAB will issue a final report that includes a determination as to whether the fishery should be re-certified to the MSC standard.

For more information, visit www.akerbiomarine.com.