Certifier : 
Control Union (UK) Limited
Certified status : 
Certified
Certified since : 
03 May 2012
Certificate expires : 
01 Sep 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

Units of Certification & Certificate Information

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Catch by Species

Species Reported Catch Year Metric Tonnes
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) 2021 377.2
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) 2021 15,830.5
Saithe(=Pollock) (Pollachius virens) 2021 1.0

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, in the waters of the Northeast Arctic, was certified in 2012. The eight vessels involved target three different species.

The cod, haddock and saithe are all caught using demersal rockhopper otter trawls, with a mesh size of at least 130mm. Most trawling takes place at a depth of 200 to 250m, with a minimum around 120m and a maximum of 300m. The duration of each trawl varies a great deal depending on catch rate. Trips last around 60 days.

Cod (Gadus morhua) image © Scandinavian Fishing Year Book

 

Market Information

The fish are mostly frozen-at-sea whole-fish or frozen fillets. The fishery is also capable of supplying fresh fish, subject to market demand. Frozen product is landed in Germany or, more rarely, Iceland, destined for a global market. Cod usually goes to the UK, and saithe to Germany.