Scotian shelf shrimp

MSC status

Certified as sustainable in June 2011

Summary

Species:  Shelf Shrimp (Pandalus borealis)
Location: FAO statistical area 21, operating in Shrimp Fishing Areas (SFA) 13, 14, 15 in the North West Atlantic.
Fishing methods: Otter trawl
Vessels: 42
Number of fisheries: 1

More about shrimp

As with all crustaceans, Scotian shelf shrimp molt as they grow. These shrimp are protandrous hermaphrodites. They begin life as males, reaching maturity at age two, subsequently change sex to female at age four and remain female for the rest of their lives. Females produce eggs once a year in the late summer to early fall and carry them attached to their abdomen for about 8 months. Female shrimp with eggs are known as "berried"or "ovigerous". Once hatched, the larvae spend 3 to 4 months near the surface feeding on plankton. As the larvae mature they migrate to the sea floor. In Scotian waters, they live on average 6 to 8 years. Shrimp feed both on the ocean floor, where the substrate is muddy, and also occur in the water column. Their diet consists of benthos and detritus (associated with day-time feeding) as well as pelagic organisms (night-time feeding).

More about the fishing methods

Otter trawling involves a cone shaped net being towed behind a fishing vessel in close proximity and/or in contact with the seabed. The certified fishery uses a Nordmore sorting grates to reduce bycatch.

Fishery tonnage

Total greenweight taken in 2008 was 4321 mt and 2846 mt in 2009.

Commercial market

The inshore fleet focuses on the shell-off cooked and peeled product, which is primarily processed on land. Predominant markets are in the US and Europe.

Actual eligibility date

1st March 2011