Certified as sustainable on 15 June 2010. 

Summary

Species:  Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)
Location:  The Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, within CCAMLR Statistical Area 48.
Fishing methods:  Pelagic Trawl
Number of fisheries: 1

Fishery Fact Sheet

Download the Aker Biomarine Antarctic krill fisheries fact sheet for A4 paper

More about krill

Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans that swarm in dense shoals found particularly in Antarctic waters. They can reach a total length of 62 mm, with Krill aged 5 years or above making up less than 1% of the stock.

Krill can spawn from late November to late March, although the onset of spawning varies
geographically and year to year. Females lay 6,000–10,000 eggs at one time. However, not all females are likely to reproduce every season, with the proportion of sub-adult and adult females reproducing within a season varying from less than 20% to nearly 100%.

Most interest in krill fishing is likely in Area 48. Survey results have suggested that krill density is
approximately 2.5 times greater in the West Atlantic than the Indian Ocean. The southern limits
of the distribution are not known exactly, as a significant proportion of the krill population extends
under pack ice where it cannot be detected. Nevertheless, biomass estimates of this species suggest
that it is the most abundant on Earth.

More about the fishing method

Krill are harvested using a continuous mid-water/pelagic trawl system which was specifically developed by Aker Biomarine. This system is guarded by a fine mesh which prevents anything larger than krill from entering the system and is monitored by underwater cameras.

Commercial market

Product from the Aker Biomarine Antarctic krill fishery is sold predominantly in the US and European markets.  Products include pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and feeds for aquaculture.

Actual eligibility date

11th February 2009

First certified as sustainable in September 2000 and recertified November 2007.

Summary

Species: 5 salmon species have been certified:sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka), chum (Oncorhynchus keta), chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Location:  Within US territorial waters adjacent to the coast of the State of Alaska.
Fishing methods:  Nets (drift and set gillnets, purse seine), trolling and fishwheels.
Number of fisheries: 1 fishery with 5 species divided into 16 units of certification.

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More about salmon

Salmon hatch in fresh water, spend part of their life in the ocean, and then migrate back to spawn in fresh water. All salmon die after spawning.

Chinook salmon is Alaska's state fish and is one of the most important sport and commercial fish native to the Pacific coast of North America. It is the largest of all Pacific salmon, with weights of individual fish commonly exceeding 30 pounds (13 kg).

Chum salmon are the most abundant commercially harvested salmon species in arctic, northwestern, and Interior Alaska.

Coho salmon usually weigh 8 to 12 pounds and are 24 to 30 inches long.

Pink salmon is the smallest of the Pacific salmon found in North America with an average weight of about 3.5 to 4 pounds and average length of 20-25 inches.

Sockeye salmon support one of the most important commercial fisheries on the Pacific coast of North America, are increasingly sought after in recreational fisheries, and is an important mainstay of many subsistence users.

More about the fishing methods

Salmon are harvested by nets (drift and set gillnets, purse seine), trolling and fishwheels. Trolling is fishing by drawing a baited line or lure behind a boat. A fishwheel operates much as a water-powered mill wheel. The baskets on the wheel capture fish traveling upstream. The fish caught in the baskets fall into a holding tank.

Fishery tonnage

287,000 metric tonnes

Commercial market

Roughly one quarter of the harvest is sockeye salmon, followed by chum, coho and chinook salmon. In product value, sockeye salmon has always been the primary species. In recent years more than 80 percent has been sold whole or eviscerated. Seventy-five percent of the fresh or frozen product is exported, with Japan purchasing about 80 percent. The canned product is sold primarily within Europe and the United States although more recently fresh and smoked product has been more widely available in these markets.

Certified as sustainable on 23 August 2007.

Summary

Species: Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga)
Location: Pacific Ocean
Fishing methods: Pole-and-line and troll-and-jig
Vessels: Members of the American Albacore Fisheries Association (AAFA)
Number of fisheries: 1

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 Fishery Fact Sheet

Download the AAFA Pacific albacore tuna fishery fact sheet for A4 paper
Download the AAFA Pacific albacore tuna fishery fact sheet for US letter paper

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Download Fishers' stories - Net Benefits 2009 - AAFA Pacific albacore tuna (PDF, 200kb)

More about tuna

Albacore tuna is a highly migratory tuna found in oceans around the world. They mature relatively early, at approximately 6 years and have a moderate lifespan, to about 10 to 12 years.

Albacore are generally considered inherently resilient to fishing pressure because they:
-    have a high rate of intrinsic increase
-    mature at an early age
-    produce many eggs, about 2.6 million per spawning
-    are not long-lived
-    have a broad distributional range
-    do not exhibit any characteristics that increase the ease or population consequences of capture

As a highly migratory species albacore are targeted by a number of different fishing fleets from several nations. However, information from all fisheries catching albacore tuna is available and helps to overcome this potential problem.

More about the fishing methods

Trolling for albacore consists of towing artificial lures with barbless hooks, ‘trolls’, behind a fishing vessel at a speed of about 6 knots. If fishers see or feel a tuna on a line they pull it in. Trolling brings fish to the surface and helps to locate schools of albacore. The vessel stops near the school, and fishers keep the school close by throwing small amounts of live fish chum, often anchovy.

In pole-and-line fishing, individual fishers use a stout pole, formerly constructed of bamboo and now made of fibreglass or a high-technology composite, with a short line that has a single barbless hook with either an artificial lure or live bait.

Fishers may use one or both of these methods together for harvesting. Both are notably ‘clean’ fishing methods that catch one fish at a time. The absence of nets in both methods ensures the fishery is ‘dolphin free’.

Fishery tonnage

5,000 metric tonnes (combined with AAFA Pacific albacore tuna - south fishery)

Commercial market

Canned albacore is sold in the US and other markets around the world.  Fresh and frozen albacore loins are marketed in both the US and other markets around the world.

Certified as sustainable on 23 August 2007.

Summary

Species: Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga)
Location: Pacific Ocean
Fishing methods: Pole-and-line and troll-and-jig
Vessels: Members of the American Albacore Fisheries Association (AAFA)
Number of fisheries: 1

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Fishery Fact Sheet

Download the AAFA Pacific albacore tuna fishery fact sheet for A4 paper
Download the AAFA Pacific albacore tuna fishery fact sheet for US letter paper

More about tuna

Albacore tuna is a highly migratory tuna found in oceans around the world. They mature relatively early, at approximately 6 years and have a moderate lifespan, to about 10 to 12 years.

Albacore are generally considered inherently resilient to fishing pressure because they:

• have a high rate of intrinsic increase
• mature at an early age
• produce many eggs, about 2.6 million per spawning
• are not long-lived
• have a broad distributional range
• do not exhibit any characteristics that increase the ease or population consequences of capture

As a highly migratory species albacore are targeted by a number of different fishing fleets from several nations. However, information from all fisheries catching albacore tuna is available and helps to overcome this potential problem.

More about the fishing methods

Trolling for albacore consists of towing artificial lures with barbless hooks, ‘trolls’, behind a fishing vessel at a speed of about 6 knots. If fishers see or feel a tuna on a line they pull it in. Trolling brings fish to the surface and helps to locate schools of albacore. The vessel stops near the school, and fishers keep the school close by throwing small amounts of live fish chum, often anchovy.

In pole-and-line fishing, individual fishers use a stout pole, formerly constructed of bamboo and now made of fibreglass or a high-technology composite, with a short line that has a single barbless hook with either an artificial lure or live bait. 

Fishers may use one or both of these methods together for harvesting. Both are notably ‘clean’ fishing methods that catch one fish at a time. The absence of nets in both methods ensures the fishery is ‘dolphin free’.

Fishery tonnage

5,000 metric tonnes (combined with AAFA Pacific Albacore tuna - north fishery)

Image Courtesy of the WFOA.

Summary

Species:  Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga)
Location:  United States EEZ and North Pacific.
Fishing methods:  Pole & line and troll & Jig
Vessels:  During the past five years the number of U.S vessel that landed albacore ranged from 650 to 870.
Number of fisheries: 1

More about tuna

Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) is a highly migratory tuna found in all of the global oceans and Mediterranean Sea. In the Pacific Ocean there are two separate and distinct stocks of albacore, one in the North Pacific and the other in the South Pacific.

Albacore tuna mature at approximately 5 years or at about 85cm and has a lifespan of about 10 to 12 years. Growth rates are moderate, with fork lengths at first birthday nearly 40 cm. Fecundity is estimated to be 0.8 to 2.6 million eggs per spawning.  In the North Pacific spawning peaks in the summer months but takes place throughout the year in subtropical waters, mostly in the western Pacific, in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands, and in some years off Guadalupe Island, Mexico.

More about the fishing methods

Troll & jig: Trolling for albacore consists of towing artificial lures with barbless hooks behind a fishing vessel at a speed of about 6 knots. Individual trolling lines are generally 3 to 20 fathoms long and often constructed from 1/8" braided nylon line, with a 1-6 fathom leader made from150-400 pound test nylon monofilament, to which is attached an artificial feathered jig with a barbless double hook. Fish are caught one at a time on the trolling line and, upon striking the jig, are retrieved immediately with a hydraulic gurdy or line-puller, or by hand pulling.  Usually about 8-14 lines may be trolled by an albacore fishing vessel, however, typically not all lines are pulled during heavy fishing activity. Trolling vessels will customarily operate with a captain and one or sometimes two crew.

Pole & line: In pole & line fishing, fishers use a stout pole, formerly constructed of bamboo and now made of fiber-glass or a high-technology composite, with a short line that has a single barbless hook with either an artificial lure or live bait. Schools of albacore are usually located by trolling and the vessel is stopped near the school of albacore, which is kept close to the vessel by throwing small amounts of live fish chum, preferably northern anchovy. Each pole-and-line set-up is used by an individual fisher to catch one fish at a time that is lifted aboard the vessel. Vessels usually carry about three to six pole-and-line fishers and a captain, who usually also ‘throws’ chum.

Fishery tonnage

The U.S. surface troll & jig and pole & line fisheries account for approximately 17% of the North Pacific albacore landed by all nations. Landings by the U.S fleet in the North Pacific by these fishing methods since 1996 have ranged from 8,400 to 17,000 tonnes per year. In 2008, the total reported catch was 10,200 tonnes.

Commercial market

Albacore tuna is marketed as fresh, fresh-frozen and canned product, with canned product accounting for the majority of the catch.

Actual eligibility date

27th of May 2009.

Certified as sustainable in June 2011

Summary

Species:  Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)
Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tchawytscha)
Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Location:  Waters of the Annette Islands Reserve located in southeast Alaska, USA. Defined as within 3000 feet of shoreline at mean low tide.
Fishing methods:  Gillnet, seine and troll methods.
Number of fisheries: 4

More about salmon

All salmon begin the same way, as externally fertilized eggs in a gravelly redd that is rushing with fresh water. Rearing time and location within the river and estuary system also varies by species. Once in the ocean, immature juveniles usually stay close to the coast for several months and later move to the open ocean to feed on plankton, fish and crustaceans. It is their diet of carotenoid pigment laden crustaceans that give salmon their distinctive pink muscle. Populations of salmon diverge and mix with other populations in the open ocean. Pacific salmon species originating in North America can migrate vast distances across the entire North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea.

Time at sea may vary within a population, except for pink salmon, which are predictably at sea for 2 years. Salmon return to the freshwater system to spawn and are able to home-in thousands of kilometers from many different locations and arrive at nearly the same time as the rest of their run. It is also at this time that salmon are typically caught in the fisheries.

More about the fishing methods

Purse seines consist of a netted frame with a floatline and a leadline. The leadline has pursing rings through
which the pursing wire is strung. The seine is deployed and the vessel encircles aggregating salmon. The
pursing wire is pulled so that the seine is closed on the bottom and the catch is hauled on deck.

Set gillnets also have a floatline and a weighted leadline but are deployed in a linear fashion and target migrating salmon. Gillnets are size selective with various mesh sizes to target different species and size classes. As salmon swim through the gillnet they are entangled, usually by the opercula or gill coverings.

Troll fishing targets feeding salmon and consists of a line with baited hooks that are towed through the water column usually near the surface or at a specified depth. Often trollers will deploy multiple lines by using outriggers on the vessel.

Fishery tonnage

The tonnage for the Annette Islands Reserve salmon fishery is approximately 3,000 metric tonnes.

Commercial market

The fishery produce primarily frozen fillets and headed and gutted salmon for European markets. The other half, mostly from the seine harvest, are sold to processors off the island.

Actual eligibility date

5th October 2010

Certified as sustainable in August 2011.

Summary

Species:  Argentina anchovy (Engraulis anchoita)
Location: South West Atlantic (Argentine and Uruguayan seas) in FAO statistical area 41.
Fishing methods:  Semi pelagic Midwater Trawl
Vessels: 5 high seas ice-chilling vessels
Number of fisheries: 1

More about anchovy

The Argentine anchovy occurs from southern Brazil to Patagonian waters, from shallow waters to beyond the continental slope. They tolerate a wide range of salinity and temperate and like other species form compact schools at different depths during the day and disperse at night; forming layers for feeding near the surface where they feed near exclusively on zooplankton.

More about the fishing methods

The fishery uses semi-pelagic mid-water trawling nets, fitted out to the power and characteristics of the fishing vessels. The net is made of 4mm diameter nylon and has a total length of between 60 to 70 m which is kept afloat by 60 buoys.

Tonnage of the fishery

In 2010 the five high seas ice-chilling vessels caught 1,871 metric tons.

Commercial market

80% of Argentine anchovy is exported, whilst the rest is utilised for the conserve production (“argentine sardines”) and for internal market of filets in oil.

Actual eligibility date

November 5th 2010.

Species

Hoki (Macruronus magellanicus)

MSC assessment status

The conformity assessment Body, OIA, has announced the withdrawl of Lic. Miguel A. Rey Sosa from the assessment team for the Argentine Hoki fishery.There will be no impacts on the assessment as his expertise will be fulfilled by the remaining members of the assessment team.

All persons wishing to comment on this revision is invited to contact Laura Laco by 5pm GMT, 12 February 2012.

Please refer to the assessment downloads section for further information including variation request and response.

Fishery location

South West Atlantic, within the Argentine Territorial waters (FAO statistical area 41)

Fishing method

Industrial bottom trawl net and Industrial semi-pelagic trawl net.

Fishery management

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and Fisheries dependencies (Sub-secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture), and the Federal Fisheries Council (CFP)

Commercial market

Products derived from these fisheries are not widely distributed in Argentina whjere there is little consumption of Hoki, Most of the production is exported. A few supermarkets offer a sub-product called kanikama in the local market. Some fishing vessels produce surimi on board which is mostly sold in Japan; although a local sirimi processing plant in Puerto Deseado produces crab imitation.

Assessment timeline

The assessment process is scheduled for completion around January 2012. Please see the download section for a detailed assessment timeline.

The target eligibility date for these fisheries is the 1st March 2010.

The MSC ecolabel can only be applied to product from certified fisheries. The MSC program does allow, in certain circumstances and within strict traceability requirements, the MSC ecolabel to be applied following certification to product caught before the actual date of certification. The target eligibility date therefore represents the date from which products may become eligible to carry the MSC ecolabel, however they cannot be sold until and if the fishery is certified. The actual eligibility date will be determined if the fishery is certified to the MSC standard.

To find out more about when fish from this fishery may be sold with the MSC ecolabel, please follow this link (http://www.msc.org/get-certified/supply-chain/eligibility-dates).

Tonnage of the fishery

The 2008 landings of hoki was 110,267 mt.

Certified as sustainable on 9 June 2008. 

Summary

Species: North Sea herring (Clupea harengus)
Location: The North Sea
Fishing methods: Pelagic purse seine
Number of fisheries: 1

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Commercial market

Maatjes is a product made from herring that are just beginning to develop ovary sacs. It is the timing of this development that dictates where and when the fishery takes place. Maatjes is a high quality, high value product mainly sold on Dutch, Belgium and German markets. Fish caught before the ovaries begin to develop, or after they have developed, are not suitable for the production of maatjes herring.

Certified as sustainable in June 2011.

Summary

Species:  Cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Location: In the Icelandic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), ICES division Area V-a (mainly off the West and Northwest coasts of Iceland). Click here (external link) to view a map of Icelandic fishing grounds.
Fishing methods:  Longline, handline and Danish seine.
Vessels: 8 handliners, 11 longliners and 3 Danish seiners
Number of fisheries: 2

Fishery Fact Sheet

Download the Atlantic cod longline, handline and Danish seine fishery fact sheet for A4 paper

More about cod and haddock

The Atlantic cod is a demersal species, distributed across the continental shelves and in the coastal waters of the northern North Atlantic, from the Bay of Biscay and the Baltic Sea to the Barents Sea, around Iceland (Icelandic cod), along the southern part of Greenland and off Newfoundland´s coasts and further southwest to North Carolina in the United States. Cod prefers water temperatures from 2°C to 8°C and water depth from 10 m to 200 m. Within its geographical range cod is a generalist, both in terms of habitat use and diet.

In the eastern North Atlantic haddock is distributed from the Bay of Biscay to Spitzbergen, from the Barents Sea to Novaya Zemlya and around Iceland, but is rarely found near the south of Greenland. Icelandic waters are the northern boundary of haddock´s distribution. The shelf areas north and east of Iceland represent a large part of the Icelandic continental shelf. In cold periods these areas are probably too cold for haddock. However, when there is an inflow of warm Atlantic seawater into the shelf areas north and east of Iceland, large areas become suitable for haddock.An ecological shift to these areas probably supports large stock sizes for the species. Large stock sizes of haddock in recent years coincide with observed increase in inflow of Atlantic seawater into then coastal areas off north and east Iceland.

More about the fishing methods

The handline is made of nylon line and hooks containing rubber bait to mimic prey. The line is often 50-200 m
long with a 6-8 m extension of fine twine containing 4-8 hooks. Most handline boats in Iceland are equipped with computer controlled electronic jigging reels. The number of handlines per boat is usually 3-5 but can be up to 12 in larger boats. In addition, many modern small boats are equipped with fish finders, radar and GPS linked to a computer.

The longline is made of a long main line, with baited hooks attached at intervals by means of a short line which is attached to the main line ("snoods"). Longlines used to be the most important groundfish fishing gear in Icelandic waters. Longlines may be as long as 20 km and have up to 16,000 hooks. The longline is usually left on the bottom for one to four hours. Most often the hooks are baited with herring, mackerel, capelin, squid and lately artificial bait. Longlines can be used on rough ground where other types of fishing gear cannot be operated.

The main components of Danish seine are its wings, belly, and codend. It is operated with a set of warps
(towing-lines, drag-lines), one on each side, usually kept on large drums. The procedure of Danish seining is first to set out the end of a warp on a buoy, usually the starboard warp. While the warp is set out, the boat sails in a half circle. The wing of the seine is then set out, followed by the net bag and the other wing, followed by the backboard warp as the boat heads back to the buoy. Once the buoy has been taken aboard, the boat starts to pull the gear. During towing the warps are gradually pulled together, herding the fish in front of the seine. As the warps are pulled together the seine moves over the bottom, capturing the herded fish. Once the warps have come together, they are hauled in on the warping drums. The seine is taken aboard using a power block. The tows are quite efficient in herding the fish toward the codend, especially flatfish.

Fishery tonnage

Catch is approximately6,000 MT of cod and 4,000 MT haddock

Commercial market

Sæmark’s main markets are USA, Great Britain, and Continental Europe for fresh and frozen fish and Spain, Italy and Greece for salted fish. The estimated export of fish products by Sæmark Seafood Ltd. amounts to about 4 % of Iceland’s total export of cod and 4 % of Iceland’s export of haddock.

Actual eligibility date

1st October 2010

MSC status

Certified as sustainable on 3rd September 2009.

Summary

Species: Atlantic deep-sea red crab (Chaceon quinquedens)
Location: Along the continental shelf of the north-eastern coast of the United States, from Cape Hatteras (North Carolina) in the south to border with Canada in the north.
Fishing methods: Trap (pot)
Vessels: 4
Number of fisheries: 1

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More about Atlantic deep-sea red crab

Deep-sea red crabs are found along the continental shelf and slope of the Western Atlantic and are generally found at depths from 200 to 1800 meters. Their distribution reaches from the Gulf of Mexico in the south up to Emerald Bay, Nova Scotia in the north. Depending on life stage, they may occur from the shallow warm waters of the continental shelf as larvae and deep cold water on the outer continental shelf as post larval crabs.

In the Northeast, adult red crabs occur along the continental shelf edge and upper slope from the Scotian Shelf and the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras.

More about the fishing methods

The directed red crab fishery is entirely a trap fishery. The primary fishing zone for red crab, as reported by the fishing industry, is at a depth of 400-800 meters along the continental shelf in the Northeast region, and is limited to waters north of 35° 15.3N (Cape Hatteras, NC) and south of the Hague Line.

Fishery tonnage

2,688 tonnes

Commercial market

Product sold domestically within the United States to food service businesses.

Actual eligibility date

The actual elgibility date for crab products caught in the Atlantic Deep Sea Red Crab fishery as 3 January 2009. This date predates the release of a Public Comment Draft Report by less than six months.

Crab caught after the actual eligibility date but before the date of the certification of the fishery and sold beyond the first point of sale after landing may be eligible to use the MSC ecolabel, provided that any company having bought fish bears a valid Chain of Custody certificate.

Certified as sustainable in March 2006 and Re-certified in June 2011.

Summary

Species: Australia mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari)
Location: The coasts of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Fishing methods: Bottom and midwater trawl
Number of fisheries:  1

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More about mackerel icefish

Mackerel icefish are short lived and fast growing with variable recruitment. They grow to about 66 cm and can weigh up to 2 kg. Juveniles and adults form large aggregations are predominantly in the demersal to mid-water range. Sexual maturation occurs at 22-26 cm (3-4 years).

More about the fishing methods

The fishing method is demersal and pelagic trawling. Trawl nets are limited to a minimum mesh size of 90 mm when targeting mackerel icefish to enable juvenile fish to escape the net.

Fishery tonnage

1,200 tonnes

Species

Brown tiger prawn (Penaeus esculentus)
Grooved tiger prawn (P. semisulcatus)
Blue endeavor prawn (Metapenaeus endeavouri)
Red endeavor prawn (M. ensis)
White Banana prawns (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis);
Red legged banana prawns (Fenneropenaeus indicus)

MSC assessment status

The certification body, MRAG Americas, has proposed two peer reviewers for the review of the Draft Australia Northern prawn fishery Assessment Report.

If you wish to provide feedback on the proposed peer reviewers, please contact Richard Banks no later than  5pm GMT, 30th September 2011.

Please refer to the assessment downloads section for more information.

Fishery location

Australian Commonwealth Waters in FAO area 71

Fishing method

Twin, triple and quad otter trawl

Fishery management

The fishery is managed through a combination of input controls (limited entry, seasonal closures, gear restrictions and operational controls), implemented under the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Plan1995.

Commercial market

Domestic: fresh & frozen. International: frozen primarily to Japan & China.

Assessment timeline

The assessment process is expected to take 10 months and is scheduled for completion around April 2012. Please see the download section for a detailed assessment timeline.

The target eligibility date for this fishery is the 5th July 2011.

The MSC ecolabel can only be applied to product from certified fisheries. The MSC program does allow, in certain circumstances and within strict traceability requirements, the MSC ecolabel to be applied following certification to product caught before the actual date of certification. The target eligibility date therefore represents the date from which products may become eligible to carry the MSC ecolabel, however they cannot be sold until and if the fishery is certified. The actual eligibility date will be determined if the fishery is certified to the MSC standard.

To find out more about when fish from this fishery may be sold with the MSC ecolabel, please follow this link (http://www.msc.org/get-certified/supply-chain/eligibility-dates).

Tonnage of the fishery

In 2010 tiger prawn catches were 1,628mt, endeavor prawn 429mt and banana prawn 5,642mt

Certified as sustainable in November 2010.

Summary

Species: Cod (Gadus morhua) & Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Location: Barents Sea - ICES Areas I and II. Within Norwegian and Russian EEZ and International Waters
Fishing methods: Demersal trawl
Vessels: 16
Number of fisheries: 2

Download the MSC fishery factsheet: Barents sea cod (PDF, 230kb)

Download the MSC fishery factsheet: Barents sea haddock (PDF, 220kb)

More about cod and haddock

Cod is a benthopelagic species (0 – 600m, but typically 150 – 200m), which is widely distributed in a variety of habitats in Northern temperate waters, from the shoreline down to the continental shelf and from the arctic polar front to a latitude of around 35°N (up to 20°C). The North East Arctic stock in the Barents Sea, which is the subject of this assessment, is one of the most important cod stocks, along with the Icelandic stock.

In the Barents Sea, Cod are an important predator species acting as a keystone species. It feeds on a wide range of prey, including larger zooplankton species, most available fish species and shrimp. Cod prefer capelin as a prey and feed on them heavily as they migrate into southern and central regions to spawn. Strong trophic relationships exist between cod, capelin and euphasiids.

Haddock is a demersal; marine species, widely distributed in temperate northern waters within the 10-450m depth range (79°N - 35°N, 76°W - 52°E). In the Northeast Atlantic haddock are distributed from the Bay of Biscay to Spitzbergen; the Barents Sea to Novaya Zemlya; (around Iceland); and more rarely, around southern Greenland. In the Northwest Atlantic, haddock is less widely distributed, but important populations occur from New Jersey to the Strait of Belle Isle.

Depending on the region, spawning lasts from about January to June with fish moving to their spawning grounds in winter. These are at a depth of 50 to 200 metres where at this time the average temperature is about 5°C.

More about the fishing methods

Both fisheries use the same system of capture –  demersal trawl, or bottom otter trawl – a gear designed and rigged to have bottom contact during fishing. A demersal trawl is a cone-shaped net consisting of a body, closed by a cod end and with lateral wings extending forward from the opening. The two towing warps lead from the vessel to the otter boards which act as paravanes to maintain the horizontal net opening. These boards weigh 2 - 4 tonnes and drag across the seabed. The boards are joined to the wing-end by the bridles which herd fish into the path of the net. The net opening is framed by a floating headline and ground gear designed according to the bottom condition to maximise the capture of demersal target species, whilst protecting the gear from damage. On very rough substrates special rock hopper gears are used.

Fishery tonnage

65,535 tonnes of cod and 23, 837 tonnes in 2009.

Commercial market

Most fish caught are trans-shipped at sea before being landed in Holland for onward shipping with the rest being directly landed to designated plants and storage facilities mainly in Norway, UK and Russia.

Actual eligibility date

27th February 2010

Certified as sustainable on 1st June 2010. 

Summary

Species:
Yellowfin sole (Pleuronectes asper) also known as (Limanda aspera),
Flathead sole (Hippoglossoides elassodon),
Arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias),
Alaska plaice (Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus) 
Northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra)
Location:  Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Fishing methods:  Otter trawl
Number of fisheries: 5

More about Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands flatfish

Prior to the extension of national jurisdiction over the fisheries, U.S. and Canadian fishers harvested mainly salmon, herring, crabs and halibut from the Bering Sea region. In the post World War II period, the region was fished intensively by the Japanese for various bottom fish species and later by other foreign vessels. In the 1950s and 1960s, large-scale trawling by foreign fishing vessels occurred throughout the Bering Sea targeting mainly Pacific Ocean perch, flounders and Pacific cod. Pacific Ocean perch, and yellowfin sole stocks were apparently overfished, resulting in a collapse of some stocks that are currently being or have been rebuilt. Following passage of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MFCMA) in 1976, foreign fisheries in the BSAI and GoA were rapidly phased out after a short joint venture period where U.S. vessel harvested the fish and supplied foreign processors.

More about the fishing methods

Flatfish are fished with a two or four seam otter trawl with a relatively low vertical opening (typically 1 to 3 fathoms). Nets are made of polyethylene netting, with codends and intermediates using 5.5 to 8 inch mesh in square or diamond configuration. Contact with the seafloor is predominantly from doors, sweeps, footropes, and to a lesser extent from the codend.

Fishery tonnage

266 000 tonnes in 2007.

Commercial market

Domestic, Asian and European consumers.

Actual eligibility date

10th August 2009