HOKKAIDO JAPANESE SARDINE FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (FIP)

Beginning in September 2022, a provision was added in the ASC standards stating that “feedstock used in the farm must be MSC certified”. In order to accelerate the spread of ASC certification in Japan and abroad in the effort to meet the increasing demand, acquisition of MSC certification as well as implementation of Fishery Improvement Projects have become highly important for feedstock species. In addition, Japan’s aquaculture fisheries are dependent on imports for its feed; therefore, there is an added importance from a food security perspective to be able to provide as much domestically sourced feed.

In order to increase the sustainability of domestic feed ingredients and improve market competitiveness of Japanese aquaculture supply chain as a whole, Ikeshita Sangyo (fish meal and fish oil manufacuturer in Hiroo city, Hokkaido), Hamahei Gyogyo (owner and operator of large- to medium-scale purse seine fishing fleet), Kanematsu (trading company) and UMITO Partners are collaborating together to obtain MSC certification of Japanese sardine caught in the Northern Pacific Ocean. FIP work include recording of catch data, monitoring of impacts to surrounding ecosystem and environment .

Press Release