Thursday, May 21, 2015

Mediation proposed for MSC squabble

Back in April, you'll recall, the state's largest salmon processors announced they wanted to rejoin the Marine Stewardship Council program.

The move was motivated, apparently, by the need to have MSC certification in order to sell salmon into certain markets such as Europe.

To rejoin the MSC, the processors must reach agreement with an association of generally smaller companies, led by Silver Bay Seafoods, that holds the MSC certificate for Alaska salmon.

Evidently, negotiations between the two sides haven't gone smoothly.

Trident Seafoods, on behalf of the major processors, recently appealed to the MSC for help with "certificate sharing."

And now the MSC has responded with this statement on the situation. Most significantly, the MSC is offering to line up a mediator to work with the parties.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't expect anything less from SBS. Reeks of their slimy president and CEO. Or maybe it was their Korean partner SunKist that put them up to it.

Anonymous said...

Maybe it is common sense.

Anonymous said...

slime on slime, "AH" the fish business! I wonder how long negotiation will take?I just really like how one company decides to join then they all join as a group! Collusion ?

Anonymous said...

Silver Bay did the right thing for their fishermen and shareholders when they retained MSC. Now the old line processors want in. Silver Bay needs to be cautious here....taking on these guys and their legions of lawyers could result in an old time butt whuppin.

Anonymous said...

I didn't realize the Orange producing giant bought part of SBS. HeHe

Anonymous said...

5:30.......negotiations only need to take a few more weeks.......then it will be to late for the other markets to sell MSC

Anonymous said...

I agree, sbs made the right move, but should this new plant ever have a major breakdown, I wouldn't count on receiving any favors from the others.

Anonymous said...

The processors went "up and down the street" to badmouth the MSC and everything it represented. They even had ASMI performing their stupid-pet-tricks with retailers, food service and anyone else who would listen. Rather than simply leave quietly, they opted to blow things up on the way out.

And now, that that didn't work, they want back in, and can't imagine why they are not welcomed with open arms. Given that it may take more pondering for Zuanich and company to roll out the welcome mat, perhaps it will give the processors a bit more time to wipe the egg off their face.