Unit of certification
The unit of certification is the unit that is assessed by certifiers against the MSC environmental standard. It is defined as the fishery or fish stock (a biologically distinct unit) combined with the fishing method/gear and practice (the vessel/s) pursuing that stock. This is set at the beginning of the assessment.
The fishery: Unit of certification
The certified Irish Pelagic Sustainability Group (IPSG) western mackerel pelagic trawl fishery is defined as:
|
Species |
Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) |
|
Geographical range of fishing operations |
ICES sub-areas VI, VII and VIII and Division Vb, and International waters in sub-areas XII and XIV and Division IIa. |
|
Method of capture |
Mid-water trawl (single and pair trawl) |
|
Stock |
Northeast Atlantic mackerel |
|
Management |
The stock is managed according the EU – Norway agreement. Within the EU EEZ, management is undertaken by EU member tates – in this instance, Irish management is undertaken by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (DAFF) and the Sea Fisheries protection Agency (SFPA). Management is informed by ICES advice, supported nationally by the Irish Marine Institute. In international waters management is undertaken by NEAFC. |
|
Client group |
Irish Pelagic Sustainability Group (IPSG) |
