THE Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has appointed Edith Lam of Kera International Limited as MSC Supply Chain Consultant for China. The appointment anticipates further growth in the Chinese seafood processing sector as global demand for traceable, MSC certified sustainable seafood continues.

A food technologist and auditor by profession, Edith Lam has more than 17 years experience in key regional technical and food safety positions and has specialized in the seafood business for over 10 years. Edith is also a registered trainer with the Institution of Environmental Health Officers in the United Kingdom and a lead auditor for the British Retail Consortium and the Ethical Trading Initiative.

The focus of her new role will be to study the overall implementation of the MSC Chain of Custody requirements in China to better assist partners in the region to gain access to MSC Chain of Custody assessments and to allow the MSC to further improve its standards and procedures.

Edith Lam says: "I am pleased to join the MSC at this exciting time. I was heavily involved in the Asia Pacific seafood industry for the last five years, of which 70% of the time was spent focusing on the Chinese marine fish processing sector. I look forward to bringing my technical experience to the MSC."

Amy Jackson, MSC Supply Chain Director says: “I am delighted to welcome Edith to the team, we are very fortunate to have someone of her calibre and reputation working with us in this very important region. With increasing volumes of MSC certified fish entering the market we have seen a sharp rise in MSC Chain of Custody certificates in China and based on the volumes of seafood currently under assessment, this trend is set to continue. Edith’s appointment allows us to provide the needed outreach support in one of the regions with the most rapid MSC uptake.”

Chain of Custody certification ensures MSC-labelled seafood can be monitored through the supply chain and provides a vital assurance for fish buyers seeking MSC-certified sustainable seafood. It also provides the legal underpinning for use of the MSC’s distinctive blue ecolabel on seafood products.

The organisation made the announcement ahead of the 14th China Fisheries and Seafood Expo from 3rd to 5th November 2009 and MSC’s Supply Chain Director, Amy Jackson’s visit to the region to speak at the Sustainable Seafood Forum and attend the trade show.