Global certification body and assurance provider LRQA has certified Europe’s largest fishing association, SWFPA, against the Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS) – the first time a group of vessels has been assessed together against the scheme.
The scheme, which originally launched in 2006 and was revised in 2016 to bring it up to date with modern fishing practices, recognises best practice in fishing operations and is currently the only programme that certifies the welfare of the crew and responsible catching practices of fishing vessels.
“The first group certification is the culmination of a huge amount of effort on all sides,” said Martin Gill, Head of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Customised Assurance. “The demand for fishing vessels to demonstrate they comply to industry best practice is increasing and having a Group Certification Model offers an alternative route to achieving this whilst delivering the same assurance levels and standards. This Model provides a more efficient process of certifying new vessels by reducing the number of external audits required.
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