What's New in Version 2.0

The new version includes many substantial changes, adding depth and
robustness to the Alaska RFM Certification program. Revisions are based on a
combination of factors including needs for improvements recognized by ASMI
and the RFM Fisheries Standard Committee; stakeholder input collected over a
two-year process, and required components of the Global Sustainable Seafood
Initiative (GSSI) global benchmark tool.

"We have conducted a rigorous and transparent process for developing Version
2.0 and a large part of this included the hard work of our Fisheries Standard
Committee. The Alaska RFM Certification program remains committed to
adapting in the evolving field of fisheries certifications,” states Susan Marks,
Sustainability Director for ASMI.

In summary, the changes and improvements to Alaska RFM Fisheries Standard
V 2.0 include:

-Rewording of complex clauses;
-General housekeeping and restructuring;
-Fusion of clauses with overlapping requirements;
-Arranging 6 Key Principles for evaluating fisheries into 4 Key Sections;
-Inclusion of specific metrics and indicators;
-Improved specificity of some clauses (e.g. stock status, ecosystem
components, etc.)
-Review of additional FAO documentation and related inclusion of some
clauses;
-Scoring and Guidance document improvements;
-Development of an addendum and framework for Data Deficient Fisheries
assessments;
-Modification of the scoring matrix from a descriptive to a numerical system;
-The Alaska RFM Fishery Standard is not applicable to deep-sea fisheries.