Certifier : 
Control Union (UK) Limited
Certified status : 
Certified
Certified since : 
17 Apr 2017
Certificate expires : 
15 Oct 2027

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

Units of Certification & Certificate Information

  • Certified
    MSC UoC Number Species Gear Type Ocean Area Certificate Code
    UoC-1341 Herring (Clupea harengus) Trawls - Midwater trawls: Mid water trawl with cod-end mesh size greater than 32mm 27 (Atlantic, Northeast) MSC-F-31298 (F-ACO-0115)
    UoC-1340 Herring (Clupea harengus) Trawls - Midwater trawls: Mid water trawl with cod-end mesh size greater than 32mm 27 (Atlantic, Northeast) MSC-F-31298 (F-ACO-0115)
    UoC-2641 Herring (Clupea harengus) Trawls - Midwater trawls: and purse seine 27 (Atlantic, Northeast) MSC-F-31298 (F-ACO-0115)
    UoC-2640 Herring (Clupea harengus) Trawls - Midwater trawls: midwater trawl and purse seine 27 (Atlantic, Northeast) MSC-F-31298 (F-ACO-0115)

View glossary of terms

Catch by Species

Species Reported Catch Year Metric Tonnes
Herring (Clupea harengus) 2023 21.3

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

The North Sea herring stock extends from the Norwegian coast into the North Sea and through to the eastern Channel. The fish are caught using pelagic (midwater) trawls

This is a reassessment begun in 2016, combining two certified fisheries: 

Pelagic Freezer Trawler Association (PFA) North Sea herring

Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group Ltd (SPSG) North Sea herring



Herring (Clupea harengus) image © Scandinavian Fishing Year Book