Moscow – Russian salmon producers in Sakhalin are considering expanding in the U.S. and EU market, due to the planned exodus of Alaska salmon producers from the MSC program after October 29, 2012.
One of the reasons for the decision by Alaska salmon producers is the understanding that their fishery is sustainable and certifiable by 3rd parties other than the MSC. There is a possibility that a vacant market niche that requires MSC salmon certification may soon be occupied by Russian competitors who have MSC certification. One of such company could be OAO "Gidrostroy”, which harvests pink and chum salmon close to Iturup island of Kuril Ridge.
At present the company sells its products in Asia, the U.S. and the EU markets, while the volume of its production is estimated at 37,000 tons of pink salmon and 10,000 tons of chum salmon annually. Gidrostroy has plans to increase its production volumes in the future.
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