“It is a sign of sustainability, good management, and quality, in recognition that the effort is worthwhile. Because sometimes fishermen strive for sustainability and do not always receive that recognition,” stated the official in Matosinhos during the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) award ceremony.
This international organization, aimed at promoting sustainable fishing worldwide, awarded the blue certification label to the Iberian sardine, reinstating the distinction that had been suspended in 2014 due to challenges in stock management.
The certification, worked on by 17 Fisheries Producers’ Organizations (OPs) in Spain and Portugal, as well as by three Portuguese food industry associations, and ratified by an audit from the independent entity Bureau Veritas, recognized compliance with healthy populations, reduced environmental impact, and effective management.
The management plan was shared between Portugal and Spain, which together have 339 purse seine fishing vessels dedicated to sardines, praised by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
“It is a tribute to a product that is an excellent food, linked to our culture, important economically, but also socially. It is a recognition of the work of our fishermen, who are not always duly valued,” concluded José Manuel Fernandes.
According to the official, the 2025 sardine campaign is progressing positively, both in catches and price, contributing to fairer income throughout the value chain, from fishermen to distribution.
“We have an increase of almost five thousand tons this year. Portugal is entitled to 66.5% of the quota shared with Spain, totaling 51 thousand tons. And the price also helps ensure fair income for our fisherman,” he noted.
José Manuel Fernandes also highlighted the role of science in this process, praising the Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) and the direct involvement of fishermen in collecting and validating scientific data.
“There is a word for the IPMA, which provided the scientific data. When these data are handled without radicalism and involve the fishermen in the process, the result is positive,” he emphasized.
The minister urged that this certification be a new starting point for the continued good management of sardine stocks in Portugal and Spain.
“This involvement between science and those who have the sea experience, the fishermen, and the effort they made, resulted very positively here. Now it is important not to stop, so that this success and recognition continue for many years,” added José Manuel Fernandes.
Meanwhile, Alberto Martín, MSC director for Portugal and Spain, reminded that this recertification was the culmination of ten years of work, a source of pride for all involved.
“There was great commitment and work from governments, associations, and fishermen, to apply sustainable processes to sardine fishing. With that, we are now celebrating this fantastic achievement,” said the official.
Alberto Martín noted that this certification would also provide consumers with more confidence to consume more Iberian sardines, with clear economic benefits for the entire chain.
“There is national and international recognition that sardines are fished sustainably. Consumers, whether from the Iberian Peninsula, Northern Europe, or America, who are very important, can trust the product. This brings added value in the markets, especially since the blue label also implies continuous process improvement,” concluded the official.
