The Alaska Seafood Processors Association (ASPA) is leaving major Alaska salmon processors without easy access to the suddenly hard-sought Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) approval this summer.

“We do not believe it [the group attempting to re-join] is presently consistent with the ASPA’s above stated purpose to admit your group into the client group, ” ASPA leader Rob Zuanich wrote in a letter sent to Trident Seafoods government relations and sustainability director Stefanie Moreland on Tuesday, having already stated the ASPA’s purpose is to promote the interests of those who have demonstrated a commitment to maintain MSC certification.

The ASPA -- including Silver Bay and Copper River among its large-scale members -- is willing to re-visit the discussion in September,  Zuanich said in the letter seen by Undercurrent, but at this point, "We note that the 2015 season is now upon us, and we have our businesses to run.”

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