- Certifier :
- UCSL United Certification Systems Limited
- Certified status :
- Certified
- Certified since :
- 24 Sep 2013
- Certificate expires :
- 18 Dec 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
Engage with a Fishery Assessment
The following documents are open for stakeholder comment.
| Documents | Closes on | Files |
|---|---|---|
| Surveillance audit announcement | 19 Jan 2025 | 1 files |
As a stakeholder you are an essential source of information needed to conduct a meaningful assessment. To engage with a fishery assessment please register at the start of the process.
Catch by Species
| Species | Reported Catch Year | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus = Theragra chalcogramma) | 2022 | 906,392 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel List | 22 Dec 2023 | 1 files |
About this Fishery
This fishery targets the walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), and was certified in September 2013.
The fleet uses pelagic trawls to catch the fish. This method is considered relatively benign as the gear, in midwater, rarely comes into contact with the seabed: it is not associated with damage to marine habitat. It is also thought to reduce levels of bycatch, although vulnerable species are still sometimes unintentionally captured.
The vessels licensed to operate this fishery are not allowed to use any other types of gear while fishing for pollock – some do have multiple permits and different gear types, but any change in target species must be declared (e.g. switching to cod using bottom trawls).
Walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) image © Scandinavian Fishing Year Book
Market Information
840,000 metric tonnes are taken each year and used for a range of products. Pollock fillets supplies internal markets as well as Asia and Europe, while roe is mostly exported to the Japanese and southeast Asian markets. Pollock surimi paste is also produced for internal use and export.