- Certifier :
- MRAG Americas, Inc.
- Certified status :
- Certified with Unit(s) in Assessment
- Certified since :
- 30 Aug 2012
- Certificate expires :
- 21 Nov 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 | 11 Nov 2024 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Little skate (Raja erinacea) | 2021 | 3,893 |
| Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) | 2021 | 4,970 |
| Winter skate (Raja ocellata) | 2021 | 3,893 |
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 US fishery was certified as sustainable in 2012.
It targets the spiny dogfish in the Northwest Atlantic, up to 200 nautical miles from the US coast. It’s the most abundant shark in this part of the ocean, and one of the most highly migratory demersal sharks. During spring and autumn the species concentrates in coastal waters between North Carolina and southern New England, and migrates northward to the Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank region. They return southward in autumn and winter.
Spiny dogfish school by size until maturity, when they school by size and sex. Growth is slow, with 50 per cent maturity in females reached at a length of 82cm and an age of 16 years. For males, the relative measures are 64cm and 10 years. They are found in a wide range of bottom water temperatures in the northwest Atlantic, ranging between 0°C and 17°C. The species has been caught near shore to as deep as 730m, although it is most commonly observed at depths of 50-200m.
The fish are caught with three kinds of gear: otter trawls, long lines and gill nets.
Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) image © Scandinavian Fishing Year Book
Market Information
Most of the catch goes to the European Union in the form of fillets.