Due to great interest from the trade, further steps were taken to use the existing recognition system, for shipping companies that make sufficient efforts in terms of sustainability, on the market as well. Starting in 2019, a large pilot project was set up during which the necessary knowledge was gained regarding a B2C market recognition and the corresponding provisions and control mechanisms. During this process, the services of an external certification body responsible for the controls were called upon.
In order to make use of the Visserij Verduurzaamt principle, all links in the Visserij Verduurzaamt chain must be approved. This includes the first buyer, the processor, the contractor, the subcontractor and other intermediaries on the road between first point of sale and consumer of the products of the Fishery Preservative-recognized Belgian fishing vessels. If, according to an audit, they comply with all the provisions laid down in the B2C specifications (to be found on this website), the operator will receive a certificate for one year. The first audits have meanwhile been successfully completed and the first certificates have therefore been issued to the Fishery Sustainability-accredited operators. Starting in early 2022, Fisheries Sustainability Market 2.0 was rolled out that will run until 2025.
Interested operators can apply to the administrator via the application form on this website to use the Fisheries Sustained accreditation. Restaurants, caterers or government services/companies offering fish meals can also apply.