The Northern Territory Trepang Fishery has achieved certification against the internationally recognised Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard, becoming the first Northern Territory fishery to receive this recognition.
The certification provides independent verification that the fishery is sustainable, well managed and operating in accordance with international best practice fisheries management standards.
Trepang, commonly known as sea cucumber in the Northern Territory, is harvested under a commercial fishing licence. Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) is the primary species targeted. Harvesting is conducted by hand using hookah or SCUBA equipment, making it a highly selective fishing method.
Multiple lines of evidence were considered during the assessment process. The assessment found:
hand collection by divers is highly selective and no bycatch occursecosystem impacts are minimalthe Harvest Strategy and harvest control rules are based on independent scientific advice and conservative reference pointssurveys indicate stocks are at a high level.
The achievement of this certification reflects years of scientific monitoring, stock assessment and responsible fisheries management by the Northern Territory Government in partnership with industry.
Michael Usher, Chief Scientist at NT Fisheries said the certification is a significant milestone for the Territory’s fisheries sector.
“Achieving MSC certification is an outstanding result for the Territory and independently confirms that our science, management and industry practices meet internationally recognised standards for sustainable fishing,” Mr Usher said.
“This certification demonstrates that strong science-based management can deliver healthy fish stocks, protect marine ecosystems and support valuable commercial opportunities.”
MSC certification strengthens access to premium international markets and provides additional assurance that the fishery is sustainably managed. Certification is fully reassessed every 5 years, and the fishery is subject to annual audits.
The MSC certification complements the recent approval of the fishery under the Australian Government’s List of Exempt Native Specimens (LENS) provisions, which allows for the legal export of Northern Territory trepang to international markets. The approval has been granted for a 10-year period, subject to annual reporting requirements.
“The combined certifications further strengthen the long-term future of the fishery,” Mr Usher said.
“Independent stewardship certification and export approval provide strong recognition of the quality of fisheries management in the Northern Territory.”
The Northern Territory Sea Cucumber Fishery joins the Western Australian Sea Cucumber Fishery, which became the first sea cucumber fishery in the world to achieve MSC certification in 2016.
Tasmanian Seafoods, the sole licence holder in the fishery, contributed to research supporting the certification process.
“At a time when many sea cucumber fisheries around the world face greater scrutiny, MSC certification independently confirms that the NT Trepang Fishery is sustainably managed, science-based and helping set the global standard for responsible sea cucumber fisheries,” Anton Krsinich, General Manager at Tasmanian Seafoods said.
The certification supports the Northern Territory Government’s objective of building a safer, stronger and more prosperous Territory by supporting sustainable industry growth and international trade opportunities.
