Sustainability notes
This is an overview of how the Euronor saithe fishery scored in assessment against the MSC standard. For the certifiers evaluation please download the full Public Certification Report with detailed information on the performance of this fishery against the criteria of the MSC environmental standard for sustainable fishing.
The fishery scored as follows in assessment against the MSC standard for sustainable fishing. The highest possible score for each principle is 100 and a fishery must score at least 80 against each principle to get certified:
|
MSC Principle |
Fishery Performance |
|
Principle 1: Sustainability of Exploited Stock |
Overall: 90.6 (North Sea stock) 92.5 (NE Arctic stock), Pass |
|
Principle 2: Maintenance of Ecosystem |
Overall: 82.7, Pass |
|
Principle 3: Effective Management System |
Overall: 88.1, Pass |
Sustainability strengths
Some points on which the fishery scored over 90 are outlined below.
Principle 1: the state of the fish stock
- Recent stock assessments have shown that the North Sea and Arctic saithe stocks remain well above the level at which there is a risk of recruitment failure and that the stock is currently harvested sustainably. Sophisticated stock assessments are conducted every year, and provide a comprehensive view of the stock’s trends.
Principle 2: the impact of the fishery on the marine environment
- Catch levels of species that are not targeted in the saithe fishery are managed to minimize impacts, and there is evidence that this strategy has been effective. There are several measures in place to avoid trawling in sensitive habitat areas, including closed areas and tracking fishing vessels with a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), as well as voluntary measures such as not trawling close to shore. There is also sufficient information to understand key elements of ecosystem structure and function, and to support a strategy to manage these impacts.
Principle 3: the fishery management systems
- The North Sea and Arctic saithe stocks are managed through the EU’s Common Fishery Policy, and an international agreement between the EU and Norway. The management system is supported by a transparent mechanism for the resolution of disputes which has been tried and tested. The rules relating to the fishery are clearly set out and communicated to the participants in the fishery, and non-compliance with rules is dealt with through established enforcement mechanisms.
