RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

 THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION

Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) is a third-party certification program for wild-capture fisheries, similar to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) on the aquaculture side.

INDEPENDENTLY ASSESSED

Fisheries are independently assessed and scored against a set of criteria, and must meet these criteria in order to become certified. Certification is valid for five years with annual surveillance audits.

CREDIBLE STANDARDS

Similar to other wild-capture seafood certification programs, RFM provides credible standards for sustainable or responsible fishing and supply chain traceability.

TWO STANDARDS

RFM has two certification standards:

1. Fisheries Standard

2. Chain of Custody Standard (CoC)

AUDITED

Organizations in the supply chain must undergo a CoC audit to receive their CoC certification, which is valid for three years with annual surveillance audits.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

Key attributes of RFM Certified seafood:

• Based on internationally recognized criteria from the United Nation’s FAO

• Third-party accredited program provides impartiality

• Sound governance structure

• Stakeholder engagement

• Chain of Custody certification provides traceability through the supply chain back to its origin

• Transparent and collaborative assessment process

• Recognized by credible organizations – 1st to be recognized by GSSI 

The At-sea Processors Association is the fishery client for the certification of Alaska pollock under the Certified Seafood Collaborative’s Responsible Fisheries Management Program (RFM). The RFM fisheries standard focuses on six key principles of evaluation including:

1.) the fisheries management system,

2.) science and stock assessment activities

3.) the precautionary approach

4.) management measures

5.) implementation, monitoring and control

6.) serious impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem

The Alaska pollock fishery was first certified in 2011, with successful re-certification occurring in 2017 and 2023. The current third party fishery certification body responsible for the Alaska pollock assessment is DNV. For further details on the RFM program and to view recent certification documents and certificates for the Alaska pollock fishery, CLICK HERE.