MSC Fisheries
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Joint demersal fisheries in the North Sea and adjacent waters

Certifier : 
Control Union (UK) Limited
Certified status : 
Certified
Certified since : 
31 Oct 2019
Certificate expires : 
30 Apr 2025

Assessments

The MSC Fisheries Standard is used to assess if a fishery is well-managed and sustainable. More about how the standard is used, what is assessed and the process.

Interested in contributing as a stakeholder? See how you can engage with a fishery assessment.

Please note that this assessment covers the re-assessment of fisheries previously assessed separately and combines the following

CVO North Sea plaice and sole

Danish and Swedish nephrops

Denmark Skagerrak and the Norwegian Deep cold-water prawn

DFPO Denmark North Sea & Skagerrak cod & saithe

DFPO Denmark North Sea & Skagerrak haddock

DFPO Denmark North Sea plaice

DFPO Denmark North Sea sole

DFPO Denmark North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat hake and plaice

Germany North Sea saithe trawl

Sweden Skagerrak, Kattegat and the Norwegian Deep cold-water prawn

  • Recently uploaded documents
    Documents Published On Files
    Surveillance audit announcement 07 Apr 2022 1 files
    Other document: Accepted corrective action plan 24 Jan 2022 1 files
    Notice of Intent to suspend 22 Oct 2021 1 files
    Surveillance report 22 Oct 2021 4 files
    Stakeholder Announcement: RBF 22 Jun 2021 1 files
  • General Fishery Documents
    Document Title File Type Published On
    Other document: Accepted corrective action plan PDF (315.30 Kb) 24 Jan 2022
    Notice of Intent to suspend PDF (148.14 Kb) 22 Oct 2021
    Variation Response PDF (129.35 Kb) 19 Feb 2021
    Variation Request PDF (197.13 Kb) 08 Feb 2021
    Variation Request PDF (172.65 Kb) 19 Jan 2021
    Variation Response PDF (125.93 Kb) 11 Dec 2020
    Variation Response PDF (125.93 Kb) 11 Dec 2020
    Variation Request PDF (178.15 Kb) 03 Dec 2020
    Variation Request PDF (185.01 Kb) 31 Oct 2019
    Variation Response PDF (125.13 Kb) 31 Oct 2019
    Certificate Holder Forced and Child Labour Policies, Practices and Measures Template PDF (152.59 Kb) 31 Oct 2019
    Certificate Holder Forced and Child Labour Policies, Practices and Measures Template PDF (186.49 Kb) 31 Oct 2019
    Certificate Holder Forced and Child Labour Policies, Practices and Measures Template PDF (6324.38 Kb) 31 Oct 2019
    Certificate Holder Forced and Child Labour Policies, Practices and Measures Template PDF (255.86 Kb) 31 Oct 2019
    Notice of Intent to suspend PDF (159.47 Kb) 28 Oct 2019
  • Initial assessment (started 2017)
    • Units of Certification
      MSC UoC Number Species Gear type Ocean Area
      UoC-1567 Anglerfishes nei (Lophiidae) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1580 Anglerfishes nei (Lophiidae) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1568 Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1570 European hake (Merluccius merluccius) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1584 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1575 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1585 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1581 Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1569 Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1571 Ling (Molva molva) (Molva molva) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1582 Megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1572 Megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1573 Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1583 Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1594 Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1574 Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1576 Saithe(=Pollock) (Pollachius virens) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1587 Sole (Solea solea) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1586 Sole (Solea solea) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1577 Sole (Solea solea) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1578 Tusk(=Cusk) (Brosme brosme) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1579 Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)

    Public certification report and certificate issue

    Documents Published on Files
    Public certification report 31 Oct 2019 4 files
    Public certification report announcement 31 Oct 2019 1 files

    There was an objection accepted to the final report and determination for this fishery.
    The Independent Adjudicator’s final decision is included in the Public Certification Report.
    Please email standards@msc.org to request the documents related to this objection.

    Final assessment report and determination

    Documents Published on Files
    Final report and determination 16 Apr 2019 4 files
    Final report and determination announcement 16 Apr 2019 1 files
    Other Documents File type Published on
    Other document: Revised Timeline PDF (125.76 Kb) 19 Mar 2019
    Variation Response PDF (119.78 Kb) 18 Mar 2019
    Variation Request PDF (150.31 Kb) 07 Mar 2019

    Public review of the draft assessment report

    Documents Published on Files
    Public comment draft report 20 Dec 2018 4 files
    Public comment draft report announcement 20 Dec 2018 1 files
    Other Documents File type Published on
    Variation Request PDF (145.51 Kb) 14 Nov 2018
    Variation Response PDF (245.91 Kb) 23 Nov 2018
    Stakeholder Announcement: Notification of Report Split PDF (123.47 Kb) 23 Nov 2018

    Client and peer review

    Documents Published on Files
    Proposed peer reviewers 08 Aug 2018 1 files
    Other Documents File type Published on
    Other document: Revised Timeline PDF (126.49 Kb) 06 Nov 2018

    Fishery announcement, stakeholder identification and assessment team formation

    Documents Published on Files
    Use of the RBF 16 Mar 2017 1 files
    Fishery announcement template 16 Mar 2017 1 files
    Other Documents File type Published on
    Variation Request PDF (121.27 Kb) 16 Mar 2017
    Variation Response PDF (182.83 Kb) 16 Mar 2017
    Variation Request PDF (201.25 Kb) 04 Apr 2017
    Stakeholder Announcement: Change to use of RBF - PI 2.4.1 PDF (230.39 Kb) 18 Apr 2017
    Stakeholder Announcement: Change in site visit location PDF (229.33 Kb) 20 Apr 2017
    Stakeholder Announcement: UoC clarification PDF (308.66 Kb) 25 Apr 2017
    Variation Response PDF (306.78 Kb) 27 Apr 2017
    Stakeholder Announcement: Change to use of RBF - PI 2.2.1 PDF (270.76 Kb) 09 May 2017
    Stakeholder Announcement: Change to use of RBF - PI 1.1.1 PDF (269.81 Kb) 23 May 2017
    Stakeholder Announcement: 3rd site visit scheduled PDF (276.35 Kb) 13 Jul 2017
    Other document: Additional Team Member PDF (241.46 Kb) 20 Mar 2018
    Notice of intent to review new information PDF (229.69 Kb) 20 Mar 2018
    Other document: Revised Timeline PDF (148.98 Kb) 20 Mar 2018
    Other document: Revised Timeline PDF (127.13 Kb) 24 Aug 2018
    Stakeholder Announcement: Use of RBF Form PDF (286.37 Kb) 20 Dec 2017
    Stakeholder Announcement: Change of use to RBF PDF (390.50 Kb) 20 Dec 2017
    Stakeholder Announcement: Change in team leader PDF (385.18 Kb) 20 Dec 2017
    Stakeholder Announcement: Use of RBF Form PDF (396.67 Kb) 16 Jan 2018
    Stakeholder Announcement: Confirmation of proposed Units of Assessment PDF (254.55 Kb) 11 Oct 2018

    Timeline Documents

    Documents Published on Files
    Fishery announcement, stakeholder identification and assessment team formation 16 Mar 2017 1 files
  • Surveillance Audit (started 2022)
    • Units of Certification
      MSC UoC Number Species Gear type Ocean Area
      UoC-1570 European hake (Merluccius merluccius) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1584 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1575 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1585 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1569 Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1581 Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1571 Ling (Molva molva) (Molva molva) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1582 Megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1572 Megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1573 Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1594 Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1574 Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1576 Saithe(=Pollock) (Pollachius virens) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1577 Sole (Solea solea) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1587 Sole (Solea solea) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1586 Sole (Solea solea) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1578 Tusk(=Cusk) (Brosme brosme) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1579 Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)

    Ongoing surveillance

    Documents Published on Files
    Surveillance audit announcement 07 Apr 2022 1 files
  • Surveillance Audit (started 2021)
    • Units of Certification
      MSC UoC Number Species Gear type Ocean Area
      UoC-1570 European hake (Merluccius merluccius) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1584 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1585 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1575 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1569 Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1581 Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1571 Ling (Molva molva) (Molva molva) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1572 Megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1573 Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1594 Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1583 Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1574 Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1576 Saithe(=Pollock) (Pollachius virens) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1577 Sole (Solea solea) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1586 Sole (Solea solea) Miscellaneous Gear: Suspended: EZG: SN (3aN), CVO: TR2 (4), SFPO: SDN (4, 3aN), SN (3aN, 3aS), DFPO: SDN (4), LL (4), BT1 (3aN), SDN (3aS), SN (3aS) 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
      UoC-1578 Tusk(=Cusk) (Brosme brosme) Miscellaneous Gear 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)

    Ongoing surveillance

    Documents Published on Files
    Surveillance audit announcement 19 Feb 2021 1 files
    Surveillance report 22 Oct 2021 4 files
    Other Documents File type Published on
    Other document: RBF_input PDF (442.07 Kb) 17 Jun 2021
    Stakeholder Announcement: RBF PDF (175.90 Kb) 22 Jun 2021