- Certifier :
- MRAG Americas, Inc.
- Certified status :
- In Assessment
- Certified since :
- 23 Mar 2017
- Certificate expires :
- 22 Sep 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
Catch by Species
| Species | Reported Catch Year | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|---|
| European sprat (Sprattus sprattus) | 2021 | 75,219 |
| Lesser sand-eel (Ammodytes marinus) | 2021 | 75,463 |
| Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) | 2021 | 45,105 |
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 | 05 Feb 2020 | 1 files |
About this Fishery
This fishery in the North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat is run as a collaborative venture between the Danish Fishermen Producers Organization (DFPO) and the Danish Pelagic Producers Organization (DPPO).
Between them, they use trawls and purse seines to target sandeel (Ammodytes spp.), sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii); which are employed almost exclusively to produce oil and fishmeal for aquaculture.
A growing preference for ASC certification in the aquaculture industry has led to an increased demand for sustainable raw materials, which would be supplied by fisheries such as this one. It is managed under the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, which includes a discard/slipping ban, annual TAC quotas, and technical rules concerning mesh size, catch composition and closed areas of the fishing grounds. ICES assist with annual stock assessments and advice, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive provides advice on ecosystem initiatives.
“We are very happy to enter MSC assessment. If we succeed we will be able to provide the market with sustainably-sourced fish oil and fishmeal.” - Claus Sparrevohn, DPPO
Market Information
Sandeel, sprat and Norway pout are almost exclusively processed upon landing for fishmeal and oil, mainly as an essential aquaculture feed ingredient.