- Certifier :
- Control Union (UK) Limited
- Certified status :
- Certified
- Certified since :
- 29 Aug 2013
- Certificate expires :
- 14 Aug 2029
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Patagonia toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) | 2022 | 5,895 |
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
This fishery is located in the Southern Ocean within the EEZ of the Terres Australes at Antarctiques Françaises, around the islands of Kerguelen and Crozet. It was certified as sustainable in 2013. Within the fishery, seven vessels use bottom set longline to target the Patagonian toothfish (also sold as Chilean seabass).
The Patagonian toothfish is a long-lived species, living for more than 50 years and reaching more than 2m in length and 95kg in weight. Its main predators are sperm whales, sea lions and elephant seals. As the fish grow, they move to deeper waters.
Fishing is forbidden in territorial waters, waters shallower than 500m and in protected areas. Lines (baited with mackerel, horse mackerel and squid) are set at depths from 500m down to around 2000m, and are always deployed at night to mitigate bird mortality. All boats fish continuously for several months at a time before landing the catch at Le Port in Réunion.
Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) image © Scandinavian Fishing Year Book
Market Information
The current total allowable catch in the fishery is 6000 tonnes. The main commercial markets for toothfish products are Asia, North and South America, and Europe.