- Certifier :
- MRAG Americas, Inc.
- Certified status :
- Certified
- Certified since :
- 06 Dec 2007
- Certificate expires :
- 11 Aug 2028
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon pink shrimp (Pandalus jordani) | 2023 | 58,400,000 |
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.
About this Fishery
In 2007, the Oregon pink shrimp fishery became the first shrimp (prawn) fishery in the world to achieve MSC certification. It was re-certified in early 2013.
The fishery operates off the coast of Oregon in the western United States and 80-90 vessels are covered under the existing MSC certification. The primary fishing method is otter trawling, which derives its name from the "trawl doors" or "otters" which are used to keep the mouth of the net open. The use of bycatch reduction devices are mandatory. Since the discovery of LED lights' effectiveness in reducing bycatch of Eulachon smelt, juvenile flatfish and juvenile rockfish by an additional 78-90%, almost 100% of the fleet have employed such lights on a voluntarily basis.
The annual catch landed at Oregon ports averages about 11,000 tonnes, with an overall average shrimp size of approximately 3 inches.
During the fishery’s first 5-year certification period, considerable improvements were made. More and better information for stock assessment has been gathered through the introduction of comprehensive logbooks for recording total catch and discards. Expanded observer coverage, harvest control rules and electronic reporting were also introduced.
The scope of the fishery was extended during the second certification period with the Washington pink shrimp operation becoming certified in October 2015.
"Oregon’s pink shrimp fishermen are proud that their fishery has been recertified to the MSC Standard. It’s a testament to the cooperative relationship that exists between the fleet and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, to continually improve their fishery and make it one of the cleanest shrimp fisheries in the world."
- Brad Pettinger, director of the Oregon Trawl Commission
Image © Oregon Trawl Commission
Market Information
The shrimp are sold primarily into US west coast retail and food service markets in a cook and peeled product form. During seasons of high abundance and/or depending on market conditions, a significant amount of shrimp can be exported to European markets.