- Certifier :
- LRQA (Seafood) Limited
- Certified status :
- Combined with another assessment
- Certified since :
- 08 Jan 2013
- Certificate expires :
- 07 Jan 2018
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.
Attention
Some or all units that participated in this fishery are now covered by another assessment. Please see the British Columbia salmon for more information.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| List of client group members | 14 Mar 2017 | 1 files |
About this Fishery
NOTE: This fishery is currently in re-assessment as part of the combined British Columbia salmon fishery
Chum salmon from West Coast Vancouver Island, Inner South Coast and Fraser River were certified as sustainable in 2013.
Chum salmon have an average fork length of about 70cm and weigh roughly 5kg.
Each female lays around 2,000-3,000 eggs, buried in gravel nests (redds). Fry emerge from the gravel between February and April, and immediately begin migration downstream. Chum may remain in estuaries and near-shore areas for days and months before entering the ocean.
Once adapted to marine waters, they rapidly migrate northwest to the Gulf of Alaska. Adult chum salmon remain at sea for 3-6 winters, before they return to their natal steams to spawn in the fall of the year. Once spawning is complete, adult chum salmon die.
British Columbia chum salmon are caught by seine, gillnet or troll gear.
Trollers catch around a quarter of the commercial harvest. They employ hooks and lines, suspended from large poles extending from the fishing vessel.
Seine nets are set from fishing boats with the assistance of a small skiff. Nets are set in a circle around aggregations of salmon. The bottom edges of the net are then drawn together into a 'purse' to prevent fish escaping. Seiners take around half the commercial catch.
Gill netters generally fish near coastal rivers and inlets, taking another quarter of the commercial catch. Salmon gill nets are rectangular nets that hang in the water. Altering mesh size and the way in which nets are suspended in the water allows fishers to target certain species and sizes selectively.
Market Information
British Columbia chum salmon are sold worldwide.