The Case of Eco-Certification in Manitoba’s Commercial Fisheries

The report examines the case for eco-certification in Manitoba's commercial fisheries, highlighting the risk of losing international markets—particularly in Europe and the US—due to a lack of certification. It analyzes the costs and benefits for different lake sizes, noting that larger lakes see a higher return on investment. The document also discusses socio-economic and ecological co-benefits, such as improved stock health and community pride, while emphasizing the need to respect Indigenous Knowledge systems. It concludes with seven recommendations for the provincial government to prioritize funding and staffing to support the certification process.

• Manitoba's commercial freshwater fishing industry is a critical economic driver for rural and northern communities, with approximately 85% of the 2,000 licensed fish harvesters being Indigenous.
• Lack of eco-certification has already caused significant revenue losses for Manitoba fisheries, such as when Walmart USA and Sam's Club ceased purchasing Manitoba-caught fish, resulting in an estimated annual loss of $2.8 million.
• The return on investment for eco-certification varies by the size of the fishery; over a five-year period, larger lakes are estimated to receive $250 in benefits for every $1 invested, while smaller lakes receive $16 for every $1 invested.
• The monetary cost of certification is a primary barrier for local fisheries, with full certification for larger lakes estimated to cost at least $250,000, while smaller lakes range between $80,000 and $90,000 for the full assessment and Fishery Improvement Project (FIP).
• Eco-certification requires a shift toward consistent Western-style scientific data collection, which can conflict with Traditional Indigenous Knowledge systems that have been used for hundreds of years to determine sustainability.
• Socio-economic co-benefits of certification have been observed in Manitoba, including the re-opening of a fish shed in Osh-koo-na-ning that created local jobs and reduced transport distances for fishers.
• The implementation of sustainable policies required for certification has led to improved stock health and stability, as seen in Cedar Lake and Osh-koo-na-ning, where stocks recovered from previous collapses through mesh size regulations and quota management.
• The report recommends that the provincial government prioritize funding for fisheries seeking certification and hire additional branch staff to support long-term data collection and the pre-certification process.

APA

Kroft, E., & Puzyreva, M. (2024). The Case of Eco-Certification in Manitoba’s Commercial Fisheries. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-08/eco-certification-manitoba-commercial-fisheries.pdf

Chicago

Kroft, Emily, and Marina Puzyreva. The Case of Eco-Certification in Manitoba’s Commercial Fisheries. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-08/eco-certification-manitoba-commercial-fisheries.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kroft |first1=Emily |last2=Puzyreva |first2=Marina |title=The Case of Eco-Certification in Manitoba’s Commercial Fisheries |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=August 2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-08/eco-certification-manitoba-commercial-fisheries.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kroft2024case, author = {Kroft, Emily and Puzyreva, Marina}, title = {{The Case of Eco-Certification in Manitoba’s Commercial Fisheries}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-08/eco-certification-manitoba-commercial-fisheries.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }