LOCALLY caught lobster can now be sold commercially with Marine Stewardship Council eco status thanks to a local fisherman who designed innovative tamper-proof packaging.
Ian Syvret, skipper of The Shilling and part of the 190-strong Normandy and Jersey Lobster Fishery which became the first European MSC certified lobster fishery in 2011, collaborated with MSC and local merchants to develop an elastic claw band that meets Consumer Ready Tamper Proof Packaging criteria.
For his achievements, Mr Syvret was named the Fishing Hero of the Year at the recent UK’s Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Stewardship Council awards in Plymouth.
The development of the claw band means that Jersey lobster fishers can finally crack the commercial market and sell their catch with the blue MSC eco-label.
Sponsored by Seafood Scotland, Plymouth Gin and Plymouth City Council, the awards were held at The Box in Plymouth and celebrate the commitment to sustainable seafood across the supply chain from ocean to plate.
On receiving the title, Ian said: “I am very pleased to have won this award. It’s recognition that I have been putting in a lot of effort to try and highlight that we have a sustainable Jersey MSC lobster.
“I’m very proud of Jersey having this accreditation and I was fed up with people coming to the Island and not realising we had something special. So, I thought I am going to do something about this. I decided if chain of custody is a problem we had to circumnavigate the tamper-proof problem.
“It took a year of thinking about it and being stubborn and not taking no for an answer and then two years developing it.”
The ceremony was hosted by comedian and environmental economist Dr Matt Winning.
Lisa Bennett, MSC UK & Ireland senior fisheries outreach manager, added: “Ian Syvret overcame a significant obstacle to ensure he can sell his catch to sustainable seafood lovers far and wide.
“His determination to find a viable solution exemplifies innovation and future focus in this small scale fishery, and makes Ian a very deserving winner of this award.”
