Alaska salmon has long been a symbol of fresh sustainable seafood to consumers around the world, but that status could be in jeopardy, according to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

London-based MSC operates a seafood certification program that endorses sustainable and environmentally responsible fisheries. Alaska salmon was one of the first fisheries endorsed under the MSC brand in 2000.

In order to gain MSC certification, a fishery must undergo an assessment process by an independent third-party certifier. Certification is valid for five years, and audits are conducted annually to ensure no changes have occurred to the fishery or its management threatens its sustainability.

A participating fishery is sponsored by a client who bears the cost of assessment and audits. In most cases, the client is a company, an association of companies or association of fishermen.

Alaska salmon is unique because a governmental agency, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) acts as client. ADF&G will discontinue its role as client, effective Oct. 30, 2009.

“Our role as client has put us in an awkward position. ADF&G isn’t in a position to understand the benefits of MSC certification to industry, yet we bear the burden of cost,” ADF&G Deputy Commissioner David Bedford said.

The assessment costs approximately $150,000, while audits run $75,000-$100,000 annually.

“ADF&G’s decision is correct. There’s no commercial benefit to MSC certification, and it comes at a high cost,” Tom Sunderland, marketing director for Ocean Beauty Seafoods, said.

The 2008 annual audit, conducted by Moody Marine, is nearing completion, and Alaska salmon caught this year will carry the MSC brand. The relationship between MSC and the Alaska salmon fishery remains uncertain beyond 2009, however.

The current MSC certificate is good until October 2012, when the fishery must undergo the reassessment process. Yet, a client must step in to replace ADF&G in order to facilitate the annual audit next year.

The level of interest from industry to fill the role of client is mixed.

“We’re not interested in becoming the client. Alaska salmon is as sustainable without MSC certification as with it,” Sunderland said.

John van Amerongen, director of marketing communications for Trident Seafoods, doesn’t rule out the possibility of industry stepping in.

“It’s something worth considering. One of the keys is seeing the results of the 2008 audit,” he said.

Meanwhile, reverberations from the impasse are trickling throughout the marketplace.

MSC recently circulated form letters to seafood buyers, asking them to send them to suppliers. The letter says in part, “If Alaskan salmon loses MSC certification, we may be forced to look elsewhere for salmon.”

Wal-Mart, which recently committed to carrying 100 percent MSC-certified seafood by 2011, has stated the firm will stand by its corporate commitment to MSC.

Birds Eye Iglo will not use the MSC label on a new Alaska salmon fillet product line in the U.K. due to the expense and confusion from repackaging if the salmon fishery doesn’t renew certification.

Last month, Kwik’Pak Fisheries of Emmonak contracted with Trace Register to provide source-to-sale traceability, sidestepping the MSC flap.

The Alaska Seafood marketing Institute (ASMI), a cooperative partnership between the Alaska seafood industry and state government, is recognized as Alaska’s official seafood marketing agency.

ASMI executive director Ray Riutta believes Alaska salmon’s position in the marketplace will remain strong regardless of whether industry assumes the client role with MSC.

“The MSC label is a marketing tool that has no impact on the sustainability of Alaska salmon,” he said.

“Some places, such as Europe, that value MSC certification might choose not to carry wild salmon. However, those who want wild salmon have nowhere else to go. Alaska produces 42 percent of the world’s wild salmon and 80 percent of the high-value—sockeye, king and Coho—salmon.”

Seafood buyers and sellers await a resolution to the impasse.

“Ultimately, its up to the consumer. ASMI has done a great job of marketing Alaska salmon’s sustainability, and I’m proud of Alaska salmon management,” van Amerongen said.