Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to impact endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species.
• This fishery is unlikely to have significant impacts on bycatch species.
• Dredges will directly impact on the sea bed, but the fishery is considered highly unlikely to reduce habitat structure and function to a point where there would be serious or irreversible harm.

General Notes

References

Marine Stewardship Council, US Atlantic sea scallop

Seafood Watch, Sea scallop, United States, Northwest Atlantic Ocean, Boat dredges, Marine Stewardship Council Certified US Atlantic sea scallop Fishery

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

References

Seafood Watch, Blue crab, United States (Maryland), Chesapeake Bay, Pots

Environmental Notes

• There is potential for turtle interactions with this fishery, but turtle excluder devices (TEDs) are fitted to nets for protection.
• Bycatch is a significant risk for this fishery.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact the sea bed.

General Notes

• The Gulf Pink Shrimp fishery was engaged in an active FIP until January 2023, when the fishery entered full MSC assessment. We expect that assessment to be completed by the end of 2024.

References

Marine Stewardship Council, U.S. Gulf of Mexico shrimp

Seafood Watch, Pink shrimp, United States, Gulf of Mexico, Bottom trawls

Environmental Notes

• There is a well-developed strategy in place for managing impacts on bycatch Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species. There is occasional incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals with the Stellar sea lion as the main marine mammal at risk.
• Bycatch of seabirds is considered low.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Marine Stewardship Council, Alaska Pacific cod - Gulf of Alaska

Seafood Watch, Pacific cod, United States (Alaska), Northwest & Northeast Pacific Ocean; Longlines, Pots, Bottom trawls; Marine Stewardship Council Certified BSAI and GOA Pacific cod

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to seabirds with this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
• Bycatch is a risk for this fishery, but there is insufficient data available to assess significance.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Marine Stewardship Council, US North Pacific halibut and sablefish

Seafood Watch, Pacific halibut, United States, Northeast Pacific Ocean, Longlines, Marine Stewardship Council Certified US North Pacific halibut and sablefish

Environmental Notes

• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

References

Marine Stewardship Council, US West Coast limited entry groundfish trawl

Seafood Watch, Rockfish, United States, Otter trawls, Marine Stewardship Council Certified US West Coast limited entry groundfish trawl Fishery

Environmental Notes

• Bycatch and discards are largely avoided by using large hooks set at 5.5m intervals along a 550m ‘skate’ (groundline). Some redfish, lingcod and cod are also caught on the lines, which the fishermen are allowed to market; but most fish of this kind is used as bait for halibut.
• Minimum sizes are enforced: any halibut less than 80cm long must be returned to the water. This is the size at which the fish starts to be sexually mature.
• Bird bycatch in the fishery has also been significantly reduced. ‘Tori lines’, the flapping material that flies up over the boat as the lines are set, have led to an 80% fall in bird deaths.

General Notes

References

Marine Stewardship Council, US North Pacific halibut and sablefish

Seafood Watch, Sablefish, United States, Northeast Pacific Ocean, Marine Stewardship Council Certified US North Pacific halibut and sablefish

Environmental Notes

• Bycatch and discards are largely avoided by using large hooks set at 5.5m intervals along a 550m ‘skate’ (groundline). Some redfish, lingcod and cod are also caught on the lines, which the fishermen are allowed to market; but most fish of this kind is used as bait for halibut.
• Minimum sizes are enforced: any halibut less than 80cm long must be returned to the water. This is the size at which the fish starts to be sexually mature.
• Bird bycatch in the fishery has also been significantly reduced. ‘Tori lines’, the flapping material that flies up over the boat as the lines are set, have led to an 80% fall in bird deaths.

General Notes

References

Marine Stewardship Council, US North Pacific halibut and sablefish

Seafood Watch, Sablefish, United States, Northeast Pacific Ocean, Marine Stewardship Council Certified US North Pacific halibut and sablefish

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to impact ETP species.
• Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the benthic habitat.

General Notes

References

Marine Stewardship Council, Alaska salmon

Seafood Watch, Sockeye salmon, United States (Alaska), Northeast Pacific Ocean, Marine Stewardship Council Certified Alaska salmon Fishery

Environmental Notes

• The U.S. steelhead (rainbow) trout industry follows best practices, though the production systems used have an inherent risk of environmental impact given their flow-through nature. The industry’s chemical use is regulated well, and they’re used, on average, less than once per production cycle. However, antimicrobials that are important to human health are used, and there's uncertainty regarding impacts to the environment when wastewater is discharged.
• Based on the available information, the feed’s marine-based ingredients are sourced from well-managed fisheries. The amounts vary slightly among the three production systems, but about one metric ton of wild fish must be caught to provide the fish oil required to produce one metric ton of rainbow trout.
• The U.S. rainbow trout industry follows best practices to manage diseases, but diseases still occur and may be spread to wild species. All other environmental impacts (or the risk of impacts) are low concerns.

General Notes

References

Seafood Watch, Farmed Rainbow Trout, Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certified

Seafood Watch, Farmed Rainbow Trout, United States, Raceways, Ponds

Environmental Notes

• There is potential for turtle interactions with this fishery, but turtle excluder devices (TEDs) are fitted to nets for protection.
• Bycatch is a risk for this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
• Habitat impacts are a moderate concern because shrimp fishing takes place largely over sandy or muddy bottom habitats.

General Notes

References

Seafood Watch, White shrimp, United States, Gulf of Mexico, Bottom trawls