STATE OF ALASKA /“- Po. 80x 115526 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Prone won sector” FAX: (907) 466-2392 OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER July 22, 2008 Mr. Rupert Howes Chief Executive Marine Stewardship Council 3rd floor Mountbarrow House 6-20 Elizabeth Street London SWIW SRB UK Dear Rupert, ‘The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reviewing our status as client to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). While MSC certification of Alaska’s salmon fishery as sustainable provides some confirmation of the soundness of our management regime, the relative benefit to the department of continuing our lead role in the MSC certification program is of concern. Asa client of MSC, ADF&G finds itself in a unique position. Generally, clients seeking MSC certification are industry groups who do so to avail themselves of potential market penetration or added value for their products derived from certification and labeling. However, these market- based incentives do not apply to us as a fishery management agency. Consequently, we are exploring whether the seafood industry in Alaska might be interested in replacing the department as the client for the salmon fishery, ‘As we pursue this option with the industry it would be helpful if MSC could provide some information, Deputy Commissioner David Bedford has already posed these questions via email to Chris Ninnes. 1) Should a company or group of companies wish to step in as the client for the Alaska salmon fishery, how might this be accomplished? 2) Could a company or association use the MSC logo under the current certification if it replaced ADF&G as the client? 3) Would any new assessment or new conditions be required? 4) How has MSC decided to deal with circumstances in which a single company holds a certificate but many companies participate in the same fishery under identical management? 5) Ifmore than one company wished to independently take up the current certification, would MSC select the new client? If'so, on what basis?‘Mr. Rupert Howes July 22, 2008 And, as Mr. Bedford's communiqué with Mr. Ninnes also outlined, other questions arise in the event that we determine that withdrawal is the appropriate course for ADF&G but no other group or organization comes forward to serve as the client. 1) At what point would certification lapse? 2) What would the limits be for use of the MSC logo? 3) Would all salmon harvested prior to ADF&G's withdrawal date be certified? believe our relationship with MSC has been beneficial to Alaska’s fishing industry in a number of ways. Certification, recertification, and annual auditing have certainly been interesting exercises. But, in order to evaluate the best course of action for ADF&G and Alaska’s salmon industry, we'd appreciate your serious consideration of the questions we've posed above. Thanks, and please feel free to contact David or me at your convenience. Sincerely, ? Nefa / ee, Denby S. Llo: v Commissioner cc: Cora Crome, Fisheries Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor, State of Alaska David Bedford, Deputy Commissioner, ADF&G Ray Riutta, Executive Director, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute