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 South-west handline mackerel fishery is defined as:
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Species |
Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) |
|
Geographical range of fishing operations |
The handline fishery is located within UK territorial waters off the South West Coast of England. It extends from the Estuary of the River Exe on the south coast to Hartland Point on the north coast of the south western peninsula. The fishery mainly occurs within the six nautical miles zone, which is under jurisdiction of the local Sea Fisheries Committees (Cornwall and Devon). |
|
Method of capture |
Unbaited hooks with lures or feathers on handlines deployed from small <10m vessels. The lines may be deployed literally and directly by hand, usually on the smaller vessels, or by hand operated mechanical means on the larger vessels. |
|
Stock |
The stock under assessment is the western component of the North East Atlantic Mackerel stock. The Western Component is defined as mackerel spawning in the western area (ICES Sub-areas and Divisions VI, VII, VIII a, b, c, d, e). The handline fishery for certification is part of the overall fishing pressure on this component of the North East Atlantic mackerel stock. |
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Management |
Scientific research and assessment is carried out by the ICES Working Group and reviewed and evaluated by the ICES Advisory Committee on Fisheries Management. At the national level – DEFRA/MFA, CEFAS, Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee, Environment Agency, English Nature, SW Mackerel Handline Fishermen’s Society. |
|
Client group |
South West Handline Fishermen’s Association |
