Sustainability notes
This is an overview of how the US north Pacific sablefish 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: 91.59 Pass |
|
Principle 2: Maintenance of Ecosystem |
Overall: 88.08 Pass |
|
Principle 3: Effective Management System |
Overall: 86.15 Pass |
Sustainability strengths
Some of the points on which the fishery scored over 90 are outlined below.
Principle 1: the state of the fish stock
- There are mechanisms in place in the fishery to reduce harvest as and when required to maintain productivity and these mechanisms are responsive, relevant and timely. There is annual stock assessment and quotas are set annually.
- Assessment models used capture all major features appropriate to the biology of the species and nature of the fishery. This makes the management relevant and appropriate.
Principle 2: the impact of the fishery on the marine environment
- The nature and distribution of habitats relevant to fishing operations are known and all the information is recent.
Principle 3: the fishery management systems
- Organizations with management responsibilities and their functions, particularly respecting interactions with other management elements, are clearly defined. Interactions between elements are effective and run smoothly.
Challenges
In order to ensure its continuing sustainable operation this fishery made a commitment to improving its performance where it scored between 60-80. Some of the actions the fishery has committed to are:
- The fishery to demonstrate the existence of a periodic, candid and authoritative internal review process for black cod fishery management procedures and outcomes and publish the results of such a review process.
- The management system to get a response to outcomes of external and internal reviews.
