- Certifier :
- LRQA (Seafood) Limited
- Certified status :
- Combined with another assessment
- Certified since :
- 02 Jul 2010
- Certificate expires :
- 30 Apr 2017
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
Most sockeye salmon in British Columbia and the Yukon spawn in late summer or fall in lake-fed river systems. Sockeye salmon return to their natal stream to spawn after spending one to four years in the ocean.
Once in the ocean, sockeye salmon grow quickly. While returning adults usually weigh 2-4kg, weights of 8kg or more have been reported.
Environmental conditions in the ocean produce significant variations in the number of salmon that return to British Columbia’s rivers each year. The number of sockeye returning to the Fraser River in 2009, for instance, was the lowest since 1913, but the 2010 run turned out to be the largest.
The British Columbia sockeye salmon fishery has taken a number of steps to improve management in recent years. While previously 70-80% of fish in a salmon run were harvested, this rate has been reduced to 30-40%.
Since there can be such variation from year to year in the number of salmon, 'test fisheries' give regulators an idea of the composition and abundance of that year’s catch. This enables them to set catch limits and the timing of the fishing seasons for each gear type – troll, gillnet and seines – accordingly. It also helps protect the weaker populations, as sockeye stocks in some places are stronger than others.
"There was a very simple reason for seeking certification: we sell the same products into the same markets as Alaska. Once its salmon fishery was certified, we quickly found that our customers expected we would have the same certification."
- Christina Burridge, executive director, BC Seafood Alliance
British Columbia fishers landing sockeye © Canadian Fishing Co.
Market Information
The main commercial markets for British Columbia sockeye salmon are the USA, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. MSC certification is an important requirement for many buyers.