Certifier : 
Organizacion Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA)
Certified status : 
Withdrawn
Certified since : 
17 Aug 2011
Certificate expires : 
21 Jun 2022

Overview

Fisheries are composed of one or more parts, each of which is entitled to receive an MSC certificate. These parts or “units” are defined by their target stock(s), fishing gear type(s) and if relevant vessel type(s), and the fishing fleets or groups of vessels.

When the term “Unit of Certification” is used for fishing units that are in assessment, it refers to the “Unit of Assessment” or “Unit of potential certification”. Expand a status below to view the parts that form this fishery. To check the detailed scope, download the latest certificate or open the Assessments page to get the latest report. Find out more by visiting our page on Fisheries

Units of Certification & Certificate Information

  • No longer in the program
    MSC UoC Number Species Gear Type Ocean Area Status (Units of Certification) Certificate Code
    UoC-0575 Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) Trawls - Midwater trawls 41 (Atlantic, Southwest) Withdrawn MSC-F-30018

View glossary of terms

Catch by Species

Species Reported Catch Year Metric Tonnes
Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) 2021 3,982.2

Information is provided by an independent Conformity Assessment Body as live weight (the weight of species at the time of catch, before processing) and where a fishing season covers multiple years, the end year is given as the reported catch year. Additional information is available in the latest report, see the assessments page.

Eligibility, client groups and vessel lists

A fishery may choose to define the members of the fishery certificate. These members can be vessels or other client group members (e.g. companies that own vessels and/or companies that are named as eligible to handle certified product covered within the fishery certificate scope). Please refer to the fishery certificate statement on additional product specific eligibility criteria (e.g. product eligibility limitations, eligibility date, exclusive points of landing and the point where Chain of Custody certificate is required). Please consult the fishery Public Certification Report for product eligibility rationale.

Documents Published on Files
Vessel List 11 Sep 2020 1 files

About this Fishery

The Argentine anchovy occurs in the South West Atlantic from southern Brazil to Patagonia, from shallow waters to beyond the continental slope.

This fishery, which operates in the waters of Argentina and Uruguay, was the first anchovy fishery in the world to achieve MSC certification. Its five boats use semi-pelagic mid-water trawling nets. The net is made of 4mm diameter nylon and has a total length of 60-70m, kept afloat by 60 buoys.

"We are committed to fishing in a responsible and sustainable manner, and protecting the natural resources of the ocean is a key component of our business. We are proud to be recognized as the first MSC-certified anchovy fishery in the world and look forward to the benefits of MSC certification for our companies." - Carlos Rodriguez, manager, Centauro (fishery client)

Market Information

Some 80% of Argentine anchovy is exported. The rest is used to produce preserved 'Argentine sardines' and fillets in oil for the internal market.