Gulf of Alaska pollock

MSC status

Certified as sustainable on 27 April 2005.
Entered re-assessment on 29th January 2009.

Summary

Species:  Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)
Location: Gulf of Alaska
Fishing methods: Trawl
Vessels:  Trawl catcher vessels that deliver their catch onshore for processing.
Number of fisheries: 1

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Fishery Fact Sheet

Download the Alaska pollock fisheries fact sheet for A4 paper
Download the Alaska pollock fisheries fact sheet for US letter paper

More about pollock

Walleye or Alaska pollock are schooling, midwater to bottom-dwelling fish. Pollock live anywhere between shallow, nearshore waters to 1000 metres, but most are found between depths of 100-300 metres. Pollock begin to recruit to the Gulf of Alaska fishery aged 2 and many survive 10 years or more. Seasonal migrations occur from overwintering areas along the outer shelf to shallow waters (90-140 metres) for spawning.

More about the fishing methods

Fishing for Pollock occurs exclusively by trawling. The Gulf of Alaska fleet uses mainly pelagic trawling, with about 90% of the catch taken by mid-water trawls.

Fishery tonnage

51,940 metric tonnes

Commercial market

The primary markets for Alaska pollock products are Japan, the US and Europe. Japan is the principal market for surimi (minced fish) and roe products. The US and Europe are the main markets for fillet-type products. Fillets are used for fish and chips and fish fingers; surimi  is used for imitation crab and similar products.