- Certifier :
- MRAG Americas, Inc.
- Certified status :
- Certified
- Certified since :
- 03 Jun 2014
- Certificate expires :
- 01 Dec 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) | 2020 | 26.4 |
| Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) | 2023 | 3,689.2 |
| English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) | 2023 | 60.4 |
| Shortspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus) | 2023 | 235.4 |
| Longspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis) | 2023 | 20.2 |
| Chilipepper rockfish (Sebastes goodei) | 2023 | 731.5 |
| Splitnose rockfish (Sebastes diploproa) | 2023 | 32.3 |
| Bocaccio rockfish (Sebastes paucispinis) | 2023 | 273.1 |
| Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus) | 2023 | 210.5 |
| Longnose skate (Raja rhina) | 2023 | 452.4 |
| Darkblotched rockfish (Sebastes crameri) | 2023 | 164.8 |
| Widow rockfish (Sebastes entomelas) | 2023 | 10,725.5 |
| Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) | 2023 | 2,721.9 |
| Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) | 2023 | 426.0 |
| Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) | 2023 | 364.5 |
| Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) | 2023 | 1,675.2 |
| Yellowtail rockfish (Sebastes flavidus) | 2023 | 2,805.1 |
| Arrow-tooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) | 2023 | 184.9 |
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 was certified as sustainable in 2014. It is located in US West Coast Pacific waters, from the southern Canadian border to the northern Mexican border. It comprises 17 different fisheries, using a variety of otter trawl configurations depending on the species targeted.
The fishery is limited entry, meaning only a limited number of vessels are allowed to participate. They pursue the following species:
• Arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias)
• Chilipepper rockfish (Sebastes goodei)
• Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus)
• English sole (Parophrys vetulus)
• Ling cod (Ophiodon elongatus)
• Longnose skate (Raja rhina)
• Longspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis)
• Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani)
• Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)
• Shortspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus)
• Splitnose rockfish (Sebastes diploproa)
• Widow rockfish (Sebastes entomelas)
• Yellowtail rockfish (Sebastes flavidus)
US West Coast groundfish trawl vessel image © Susan Chambers
Market Information
West Coast groundfish compete in both the fresh and frozen fish product markets, on a global scale not only with similar species produced in other regions of the world but with other fish species such as salmon and tuna. In 2006, Japan was the largest destination for exported fish products, with 19 per cent of exports going to Japan. Close behind Japan, China and Canada were the largest export destination at 15 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.