- Certifier :
- MRAG Americas, Inc.
- Certified status :
- Certified
- Certified since :
- 05 Jul 2016
- Certificate expires :
- 03 Jan 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
Catch by Species
| Species | Reported Catch Year | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|---|
| Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) | 2023 | 4,082.1 |
| Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus) | 2023 | 3,925.3 |
| Saithe(=Pollock) (Pollachius virens) | 2023 | 3,519.4 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| List of client group members | 16 Aug 2018 | 1 files |
About this Fishery
This Atlantic fishery, located in the waters of the Gulf of Maine and the Georges Bank region, targets three species – Acadian redfish (Sebastes faciatus), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and pollock (Pollachius virens) – using otter trawls.
The client for this assessment is Cape Ann Seafood Exchange (CASE), a seafood trading business based in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Through CASE, many licensed vessels fishing in the region connect with companies wishing to source fish. CASE is open to discussing certificate-sharing with other interested fishery participants.
Acadian redfish grow slowly and can live for more than 50 years, reaching around 50cm. They prefer a rocky or clay-silt bottom.
In 2012, landings totalled 3,835 tonnes of Acadian redfish, 1,970 tonnes of haddock, and 6,734 tonnes of pollock.
“Cape Ann Seafood Exchange is working with our local fishermen and seafood partners to help sustain the industry in our area by increasing awareness of these species. Groundfish built Gloucester and it is our hope that with MSC certification we will be better positioned to communicate our sustainability story to all.”
- Kristian Kristensen, President, CASE
Market Information
Catch is mostly sold fresh through CASE in New England then distributed more widely across the US.