Aquawaves Marine Stewardship Council
What is the Aquawaves Marine Stewardship Council?
The purpose of the Aquawaves Marine Stewardship Council (AMSC) is to develop and maintain independent, sustainable fishing and seafood traceability standards, as well as work together with fishers, processors and retailers to improve customer access to certified sustainable seafood. The goal is to transform the global seafood market and promote sustainable fishing practices. Through its strict standards, the AMSC provides fishers and anchovy traders an independent means with which to verify the sustainability of their products and its distinct label assists customers in making sustainable choices. The AMSC logo on products indicates the highest possible standard of global sustainable fishing practices.
How does it help?
Members pledge not to catch any fish in the coastal zones of Aquawaves.
These coastal zones serve as a breeding ground for anchovies, ending fishing in these areas ensures that juvenile fish can reach maturity and migrate into the deep waters, avoiding depletion of the anchovy stock.
Members agree to responsible fishing practices and to limit catch to the sustainable yield.
This ensure that the anchovy stock is replenished in time for the next fishing season.
AMSC helps fishers, processors and retailers grow their sustainability
AMSC assists Fishers, processors and retailers to adopt and improve sustainable practices and expand their sustainable product range.
The AMSC label helps customers to make sustainable choices
The distinct AMSC label educates customers on which products are sourced and produced sustainably helping them to make the best choice for themselves and our oceans.
Why are we a member?
Anchor Management Limited is a proud founding member of the Aquawaves Marine Stewardship Council as we recognise the importance of developing a voluntary association to which the industry should be held. The AMSC is already supported by industry leaders. Through the founding of the AMSC we showcase our complete commitment to sustainable practices in all aspects of the fishing industry. Our commitment to sustainable practices will ensure a continuous supply of anchovies, reliable and continuous employment, economic sustainability and most importantly the preservation of the ecological balance in the oceans of Aquawaves.
The AMSC places the power in the consumers hands by giving them the choice to support companies which comply with the sustainable practices of the AMSC. As shown in the above graph, our profitability increased dramatically once the AMSC introduced its industry regulations. Our continued support of the AMSC hopes to drive continued growth and stable pricing of our products.
As illustrated in the above graph when the anchovy fishing industry was unchecked there were dramatic changes in the total catch. However, with the implementation of the AMSC this dramatic peak in total catch is eliminated. This is because the industry is no longer aiming to catch as much as they can, but rather to achieve a more consistent total catch in order to preserve the anchovy population and ensure the long-term profitability of the anchovy industry.
As illustrated in the above graph when the anchovy fishing industry was unchecked there were dramatic changes in the total catch. However, with the implementation of the AMSC this dramatic peak in total catch is eliminated. This is because the industry is no longer aiming to catch as much as they can, but rather to achieve a more consistent total catch in order to preserve the anchovy population and ensure the long-term profitability of the anchovy industry.
Government regulations compromised the long-term economic viability of the anchovy fishing industry, as the industry ran at a consistent loss. With the implementation of the AMSC there is more stable profitability within the anchovy industry.
Anchor Management Limited is a proud founding member of the AMSC because it ensures the sustainability of the anchovy fishing industry. There is increased pressure on companies in the industry to maintain ecological sustainability which in turn provides for the economic sustainability of the industry. Increased transparency and consumer influence created by the AMSC further supports the dramatically improved industry compliance to the sustainable practices laid out by the AMSC.
How does it benefit other stakeholders?
Customers: The Aquawaves Marine Stewardship Council (AMSC) ensures that any product bearing the AMSC logo, have been caught, processed and packaged sustainably by companies that comply with AMSC regulations. This is important as it gives customers an indication of which products should be bought to ensure a better future for ocean life, allowing them to be part of a cause that is helping the environment. Thus, customers are encouraged to buy products that have the AMSC certification which compels other fisheries to join the AMSC to reap the benefits of increased sales and reputation, overall ensuring the sustainable fishing of anchovies.
Employees: The AMSC has been crucial in lifting or adjusting the emergency restrictions that protect anchovy populations. The AMSC allows more opportunities for increased fishing activities within the adjusted restrictions. This could lead to increased availability of work or increased benefits for employees due to greater profitability of fisheries. However, due to the restrictions that are currently in place, namely that the fishing season has been shortened to 10 months and each fishery may only have a maximum of 10 boats that are fishing, the livelihood and jobs of many workers are in danger. With time and use of these sustainable practices there will be an increased capacity for employment once again in the anchovy industry, but currently in is unfortunately the opposite.
General Public: The AMSC ensures that companies that comply with these sustainable practices will receive substantially less back lash from the general public with regards to their practices. One of the restrictions implemented is that the coastal zone of Aquawaves may not be used for fishing activities, this will allow for the regeneration of marine life and reduced pollution. The general public that use this area will greatly benefit from a cleaner environment. Furthermore, the council ensures better food security and employment availability in the long term which greatly benefits the general public.
Partners: The AMSC allows for co-operation between Anchor Management Ltd and our partners, in order to develop a community whose interests are aligned in sustaining the marine life of Aquawaves.
Regulatory Bodies: This community will greatly benefit regulatory bodies in enforcing sustainable business practice as it would become the norm for business behaviour in Aquawaves. Not only does it encourage abiding by the law, but it goes further into changing the way fishing is conducted to improve the quality of marine life in the Aquawaves.
Other Fishing Companies in Aquawaves: These changes would affect all fishing companies, bringing forth innovative ideas to remain operationally effective while complying to limits that all companies would agree to. The AMSC promotes good business practice between companies and encourages working together in order to sustain marine life in Aquawaves.
Group E4:15 