Alaska salmon has gained recognition around the world as a healthy and sustainable resource. But this perception is in jeopardy.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is discontinuing its role as client for salmon certification with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

The MSC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that operates a global environmental seafood certification program.

MSC certification ensures seafood is harvested in a sustainable manner, with minimum environmental impact and under a management system that maintains sustainability of stocks.

In Alaska, black cod, halibut, pollock, Pacific cod and salmon are MSC-certified. Additionally, Alaska flatfish are under assessment and Alaska crab are undergoing pre-assessment.

The certification process consists of pre-assessment, full assessment, certification and annual audits.

Fisheries seeking to become eligible to market products under the MSC label must contract with an independent certifier to determine if the fishery is conducted in a suitable manner and if there are any areas needing improvement.

The full assessment phase is a transparent process open to public scrutiny. Certification is valid for five years and is subject to annual audits.

Each participating fishery is sponsored by an MSC “client.” The client is typically a company, an association of companies, or association of fishermen.

Alaska salmon has been certified by MSC since 2000 and is unique in that a government entity — ADF&G — fills the role of client.

Alaska salmon certification is valid until Oct. 2012. However, an annual audit must be conducted in 2009. Because ADF&G is stepping aside, a new entity must assume the role of client by Oct. 30.

Alaska salmon caught this summer will carry the MSC brand, but next year’s catch is in question.

While seafood processors are the most logical alternative to ADF&G as client, commercial fishing associations could also fulfill that role. The result would be a fragmentation in the marketing of Alaska salmon, however.

The Alaska Pacific cod fishery is working to shore up its current marketing fragmentation. Cod from the freezer longline fleet is certified, while multi-gear-caught cod from the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska are now under assessment.

MSC communications director Kerry Coughlin sees increasing consumer awareness and concern for sustainable practices in seafood harvesting and marketing.

“MSC currently certifies 2,000 labels in 41 countries,” Coughlin said. This represents a four-fold increase in the last two years.

Of the seafood landed in the U.S., 60 percent is MSC certified. Some of the world’s largest retailers are adopting MSC-labeled products in their marketing strategy. For example, 100 percent of Wal-Mart seafood products will be MSC-certified by 2012.

The prospect that some buyers may look elsewhere if Alaska salmon is decertified concerns many in the industry.

Mirror writer Harry Dodge can be reached at hdodge@kodiakdailymirror.com.