Canada Atlantic halibut
Last Updated: 26 August 2011
Number of fisheries: 1
Species
Atlantic halibut (hippoglossus hippoglossus)
MSC assessment status
The certification body, Scientific Certification Systems, Inc has proposed 2 peer reviewers for the review of the Draft Canada Atlantic halibut fishery Assessment Report.
If you wish to provide feedback on the proposed peer reviewers, please contact Ms. Adrienne Vincent, no later than 5pm GMT, 23 November 2011
Fishery location
The coastal waters off the coast of Canada near Nova Scotia and Newfoundland including part of the Grand banks and Georges bank, NAFO areas 3NOPs, 4VWX, and 5Zc, FAO statistical area 21.
Fishing method
Demersal long-line (fixed gear), Demersal trawl (mobile gear) and gill net.
Fishery management
Managed by Canadian DFO with an IFMP; TAC and Quota set and distributed annually.
Commercial market
About 21 local Canadian companies supply Atlantic halibut to markets. Of those 21 suppliers, 11 are in Nova Scotia. The others are based in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador. Atlantic halibut are sold as fillets fresh and frozen. Predominant markets are in Canada, the US, and in the EU.
Assessment timeline
The assessment process is expected to take 10 months and is scheduled for completion around November 2011. Please see the download section for a detailed assessment timeline.
The target eligibility date for this fishery is the 1st April 2011.
The MSC ecolabel can only be applied to product from certified fisheries. The MSC program does allow, in certain circumstances and within strict traceability requirements, the MSC ecolabel to be applied following certification to product caught before the actual date of certification. The target eligibility date therefore represents the date from which products may become eligible to carry the MSC ecolabel, however they cannot be sold until and if the fishery is certified. The actual eligibility date will be determined if the fishery is certified to the MSC standard.
To find out more about when fish from this fishery may be sold with the MSC ecolabel, please follow this link (http://www.msc.org/get-certified/supply-chain/eligibility-dates).
Tonnage of the fishery
1,760 metric tons in 2010
