B.C. groups lose bid to stop Alaskan fishery’s sustainable certification [Video]

A coalition of Canadian environmental groups has lost its latest bid to prevent Alaska’s salmon fishery from being labelled as sustainable by an international certification body.

The groups — including the Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Watershed Watch Salmon Society — say an adjudicator has upheld the Marine Stewardship Council’s decision to certify the Alaskan fishery despite what they call “unsustainable” fishing practices that intercept British Columbia’s migrating salmon.

However, Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game says it is pleased that the adjudicator “affirmed the sustainability of Alaska’s fishing practices” based on “sound science,” adding that the salmon fishery in question “has the most robust and comprehensive” assessment program on the Pacific seaboard.

The Canadian groups filed a joint objection to the Marine Stewardship Council certification in April, saying the assessment “significantly underestimates” the impact of Alaskan troll fishing on salmon populations in British Columbia as well as possible effects on …