Polar Seafood is involved in and sources from fisheries that are currently listed in the MSC database as certified. As of September 2026, these include the West Greenland coldwater prawn fishery, the Greenland lumpfish fishery and the Greenland cod, haddock and saithe trawl fishery, as well as certified units within the Greenland offshore Greenland halibut fishery. Certification applies only to the species, fishing methods, vessels and fishing areas covered by each certificate.

In 2006, Polar Seafood’s then Chairman of the Board, the late Kjeld Holmstrup, initiated work that contributed to the establishment of Sustainable Fisheries Greenland (SFG) in 2012. The association brought together fishers, researchers and representatives from Greenland’s fishing industry to support the assessment and certification of selected Greenlandic fisheries against the MSC Fisheries Standard. Polar Seafood was one of SFG’s co-founders and continues to participate in its work.

Fisheries are assessed against the MSC Fisheries Standard by accredited independent certification bodies. The standard is based on three core principles. Certification is subject to surveillance and reassessment, and certified fisheries may have conditions of certification requiring specified improvements.

1. Sustainable fish stocks

Fishing must take place at a level that can continue over time while the relevant fish stock remains productive and healthy. The assessment considers stock status and the strategies used to manage fishing pressure.

2. Minimising environmental impacts

Fishing activity must be managed to limit its effects on other species, habitats and the wider ecosystem. The assessment considers matters such as bycatch and impacts on habitats and protected species.

3. Effective fisheries management

The fishery must comply with relevant laws and have a management system capable of responding to changes in fish stocks and environmental conditions.