- Certifier :
- Acoura Marine Limited trading as LRQA
- Certified status :
- Certified
- Certified since :
- 05 Aug 2008
- Certificate expires :
- 03 Mar 2025
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
Catch by Species
| Species | Reported Catch Year | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|---|
| Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis) | 2021 | 2,367 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| List of client group members | 31 May 2023 | 1 files |
About this Fishery
Northern prawn are abundant over a vast area from southern Nova Scotia to Baffin Island. The stock has increased substantially over time, and is well above the long-term average.
The Canadian northern prawn trawl fishery is the largest MSC-certified coldwater shrimp fishery in the world. It involves 395 vessels in the range of 15-20m.
The fishery uses otter trawls with a minimum mesh size of 40mm, and fitted with a Nordmore separator grate. Prawns pass through the grate, but other groundfish are directed upwards to an exit triangle in the upper panel. This grate is mandatory in all the fishing areas.
Nets are designed to float just above the seafloor, to allow species such as flatfish to pass below the net entrance.
Market Information
The inshore fleet focuses on the shelled, cooked and peeled prawns, which are primarily processed on land. The main markets are in the US and Europe.