Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have unacceptable impacts on ETP species. ETP species that may interact with the fishery include marine mammals and sea turtles. Management measures are in place to minimize mortality. Interactions with several species of seabirds occur but they are not endangered and are as listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Redlist. 
• This fishery does not pose a risk of serious harm to bycatch species. Other species caught in this fishery include monkfish, skate, white hake, and spiny dogfish. Management is in place under the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan and overfishing is not thought to be occurring.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact the sea bed. However, the fishery impacts are considered highly unlikely to cause serious or irreversible harm. Management measures are in place including area closures and gear restrictions.

General Notes

Reference

MRAG Americas, February 2022 (Updated January 2024), US Acadian Redfish, Pollock and Haddock Otter Trawl Fishery Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on ETP species. Management measures are used to mitigate impacts of the fishery.
• Bycatch for this fishery is considered low. Limits are in place for catches of chinook salmon, which if reached, trigger the closure of the fishery.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed. Detailed habitat mapping has been completed and multiple marine protected areas are located in the region.

General Notes

• This fish plays an important role in the marine food web and so potential impacts on the wider marine ecosystem must be monitored. Management measures are in place to mitigate potential trophic effects.

Environmental Notes

• Data on fishery impacts on ETP species is limited. Bycatch of ETP species is known to include sea turtles.
• Other tunas, billfishes, and sharks are caught in this fishery. There are limited management measures in place for species other than tuna.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

Environmental Notes

• Low observer coverage reduces certainty about effects on ETP species. Sharks, seabirds, and sea turtles interact with the fishery.
• Other tunas, billfishes, and sharks are caught in this fishery. Japanese sardines are used as baitfish.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

SCS Global Services, February 2026, Owase Bussan Co. Ltd. Longline Fishery for North Pacific Albacore, MSC Fishery Assessment Report, Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on ETP species. Marine mammals, sharks and rays, seabirds, and sea turtles may interact with the fishery.
• Other tunas, billfishes, and sharks are caught in this fishery. Japanese sardines are used as baitfish.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Control Union (UK) Limited, July 2023, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Public Certification Report (PCR) American Samoa EEZ tuna longline fishery

Environmental Notes

• Interactions are known to occur with long-finned pilot whales but they are not endangered and are as listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Redlist. 
• Bycatch includes several species of concern including Atlantic cod and flounders. Work to minimize bycatch is ongoing.
• Bottom trawls will impact the seafloor habitat. Management measures include areas closed to trawling.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References

Seafood Watch, Goosefish, United States, Northwest Atlantic Ocean, Set gillnets, Bottom trawls

Environmental Notes

• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

Environmental Notes

• The largest risk to ETP species posed by this fishery is to the critically endangered Right whale. The Gulf of Maine Lobster fishery's MSC certification was withdrawn due to this issue.
• There are concerns about the impact of this fishery on bycatch species Atlantic cod.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References

Marine Stewardship Council, Gulf of Maine lobster fishery

Environmental Notes

• Interactions with ETP species are low. But entanglement in lobster gear presents a risk to marine mammals, in particular to the critically endangered North Atlantic Right whale. The fishery operates in shallow water where it is unlikely to interact with the species and management measures are in place to further reduce the risk of interactions.
• Bycatch in this fishery is considered low.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Global Trust Certification, February 2026, Maritime Canada inshore lobster trap fishery Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to ETP species including marine mammals. Measures intended to mitigate impacts are in place but are not fully successful.
• Bycatch is a risk for this fishery. Catches of Atlantic cod are of particular concern as the stock is overfished.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. Some mitigation measures including area closures are in place to protect important habitats.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References

Seafood Watch, September 2022, Environmental sustainability assessment of wild-caught flatfish from the United States caught using bottom trawls and set gillnets

Environmental Notes

• The main ETP bycatch species include Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles. There are gear requirements in place for scallop dredgers in the Mid-Atlantic to help prevent bycatch and reduce risk of injury to sea turtles. Seasonal closures are also used.
• This fishery uses towed dredges which are associated with a risk of bycatch of benthic organisms. Monitoring programs are in place and management measures include area closures and bycatch quotas, among others.
• Dredges can directly impact the sea bed but management measures are in place to help protect habitats.

General Notes

• No additional notes.

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on ETP species due to the gear used, the speed at which it is towed, and the depth of fishing.
• Bycatch is minimal in this fishery and management measures are in place to help minimise impacts.
• Dredges can directly impact the sea bed. However, the fishery impacts are considered highly unlikely to cause serious or irreversible harm though more information is needed to confirm that the fishery is highly unlikely to affect all vulnerable marine ecosystems in the fishery area. Informal management measures include leaving previously dredged areas fallow.

General Notes

References

LRQA, May 2023, Clearwater Seafoods Eastern Canadian Offshore Clam Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to sharks, seabirds and marine mammals with this fishery. Some management measures are in place but more information is needed to assess the impact of the fishery with a high degree of certainty.
• The main bycatch species in this fishery is Argentine hake, which accounted for around 9-17% of the catch in recent fishing seasons. Management measures are in place including area closures and the mandatory use of escape devices for hakes in shrimp nets.
• Bottom trawls directly impact on the sea bed. But management measures are in place. Shrimp fishing vessels are required to use vessel monitoring systems. In addition, the fishing area has been mapped and any bycatch of benthic species is routinely monitored. Much of the sea bed where the fishery takes place is muddy or fine sand bottom.

General Notes

• This fishery achieved certification in February 2026, after the reporting period.

References

FisheryProgress - Argentina offshore red shrimp - bottom trawl

Organizacion Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA), February 2026, Argentine red shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) offshore bottom trawl fishery in federal waters Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• Farmed scallops are not provided external feed.
• The risk of escape is considered to be low. Relatively few diseases have been reported in scallops. The majority of the source of stock for farmed scallops comes from natural or passive settlement. Due to the lack of data on source stocks, the percentage of production from hatchery-raised broodstock or natural (passive) settlement is difficult to quantify; however, the removal of wild scallops for broodstock is not expected to have any negative impacts on the wild stock.
• Little to no chemicals are used in the culture of scallops. Improved husbandry and cleaning methods rather than use of antibiotics are employed to prevent bacterial infections. No chemicals are used during the grow-out phase of scallop culture. Cleaning solutions (i.e., bleach) used during the hatchery phase are not discharged to the marine environment.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References

Seafood Watch, Scallops, Worldwide, Farmed, Off-bottom culture

Environmental Notes

• This fishery may interact with ETP species of sea turtles and seabirds. Management measures are in place to mitigate ETP bycatch.
• Other tunas, billfishes, and sharks are caught in fisheries in the Atlantic.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute. 

Environmental Notes

• There are concerns about the cumulative impacts of the Barents Sea fishery upon the endangered species, golden redfish. Scientific advice is to reduce the catch to zero tonnes.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but non-target species are retained. Management measures are in place to reduce impacts on retained species.
• Management measures are in place to limit impacts on benthic habitats, including the use of area closures.

General Notes

• There is a good understanding of the marine food web in the Barents Sea and the importance of species such as cod, which is a top predator in the ecosystem. Despite the impacts of the Barents Sea cod fishery on ETP species, bycatch and benthic habitats, it has been concluded that the fishery is highly unlikely to disrupt key elements of the ecosystem or the stability of the food web by itself.

Environmental Notes

• There are potential risks to ETP species with this fishery, but mitigation actions are underway.
• There is significant bycatch in this fishery but non-target species are retained.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact the sea bed.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to ETP species including marine mammals. Measures intended to mitigate impacts are in place but are not fully successful.
• Bycatch is a risk for this fishery. Catches of Atlantic cod are of particular concern as the stock is overfished.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. Some mitigation measures including area closures are in place to protect important habitats.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References

Seafood Watch, September 2022, Environmental sustainability assessment of wild-caught flatfish from the United States caught using bottom trawls and set gillnets

Environmental Notes

• Salmon rely on wild capture fisheries for feed. Marine ingredients are sourced from fisheries that currently have no serious conservation concerns.
• There is an ongoing risk that fish escaping from Canadian-sited farms may have impacts on their wild counterparts. Reported escapes have declined, but escapees are still detected in rivers. Disease transfer to wild salmonids is a concern but there is little information available to fully understand the risk of this occurring.
• Direct impacts on water quality at the site are unlikely, but there is potential for cumulative impacts in densely farmed areas. Data indicates that chemical use in Canadian salmon farms has declined, including the use of antimicrobials though this varies by production area.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.

References
Seafood Watch, December 2021, Atlantic salmon, Atlantic North America, USA (Maine) and Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia), Marine Net Pens

Environmental Notes

• Salmon rely on wild capture fisheries for feed. Feed inputs are required to be responsibly sourced where possible.
• There are concerns about the impact of farmed salmon escapes and disease outbreaks on wild salmonids. Overall, the Chilean industry continues to struggle with the control of bacterial diseases and sea lice parasites as indicated by the very high levels of treatment.
• Direct impacts on water quality at the site are unlikely, but there is potential for cumulative impacts in densely farmed areas. The use of antibiotic and pesticides in Chile is high; studies on impact are limited.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
• A zonal management approach has been adopted based on groups of licenses known as Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAs), emergency disease zones, and Authorized Areas for Aquaculture (AAA).

References

FishSource - Salmon, Chile

Good Fish Guide, Atlantic Salmon, South America, Chile, All areas, Open net pen, marine

Seafood Watch, December 2021, Atlantic and Coho Salmon, Chile, Marine Net Pens

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have direct impacts on ETP species but further information is needed on potential indirect impacts.
• Bycatch in this fishery is considered low.
• Dredges can directly impact the sea bed. However, the fishery impacts are considered highly unlikely to cause serious or irreversible harm though more information is needed to confirm that the fishery is highly unlikely to affect all vulnerable marine ecosystems in the fishery area. Area closures are used to minimise habitat impacts from bottom gears.

General Notes

References

SCS Global, June 2022, U.S. Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog MSC Fishery Re-Assessment Report

Environmental Notes

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

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

Environmental Notes

• No feed inputs are used to support farmed mussels.
• The larval phase of mussels may be transported away from farm sites. The spread of non-native mussels and unintentionally introduced species beyond their natural range may be a cause for concern.
• There is no concern regarding pollution from nutrients or organic matter. No feed or nutrient fertilization inputs are used to support farmed mussels, and water quality has been shown to improve at farmed mussel sites.

General Notes

References

Seafood Watch, August 2020, Marine mussels, Worldwide, On and Off Bottom Culture

Seafood Watch, Farmed Mussels, Worldwide, Best Aquaculture Practices Certified BAP Mussel Standard

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to impact ETP species.
• There is a potential for bycatch of chinook salmon with this fishery.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References
MRAG Americas, November 2024, MSC 4th Reassessment Report Alaska Salmon Fishery

Environmental Notes

• Salmon rely on wild capture fisheries for feed. The sustainability of fisheries supplying feed used for coho salmon in Chile was not identified.
• Large escape events from salmon farms are a concern in Chile, although they only affect a small proportion of farms annually. Coho salmon show greater evidence of establishment in Chile than Atlantic salmon though it is not clear to what extent these established fish come from escape events or deliberate introductions into rivers. Escaped fish may affect native populations. The open nature of net pen production systems means there is a risk of disease transfer to wild fish, though monitoring and detection shows low rates in the wild of pathogens and parasites of concern to salmon farming.
• Impacts on water quality are localized, but there is potential for cumulative impacts in densely farmed areas. Chemical inputs of pesticides in coho salmon production are minimal and inputs of antimicrobials are much lower than in Atlantic salmon production.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
• A zonal management approach has been adopted based on groups of licenses known as Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAS), emergency disease zones, and Authorized Areas for Aquaculture (AAA).

References
FishSource - Salmon, Chile

Seafood Watch, December 2021, Atlantic and Coho Salmon, Chile, Marine Net Pens

Environmental Notes

• There are significant concerns about the cumulative impacts of the Barents Sea fishery upon the endangered species, golden redfish.  Scientific advice is to reduce the catch to zero tonnes.
• Bycatch in this fishery is considered low. With some exceptions, all commercial species caught must be retained, recorded and landed.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. Management measures are in place to limit impacts on benthic habitats.

General Notes

• No additional notes.

Environmental Notes

• There are significant concerns about the cumulative impacts of the Barents Sea fishery upon the endangered species, golden redfish, but most of the catch is taken by bottom trawls.
• Bycatch in this fishery is considered low. With some exceptions, all commercial species caught must be retained, recorded and landed.
• Longlines are unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• No additional notes.

Environmental Notes

• The fishery has the potential to interact with ETP species of sharks, seabirds, and marine mammals but no interactions have been reported. Longline vessels use tori lines and set gear at night to reduce the risk of interactions with seabirds.
• Bycatch of other fish and non-ETP species of skates and seabirds, mostly fulmars, occurs in the fishery. The main bait species used in the longline fishery is Argentine squid.
• Longlines are unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

DNV Business Assurance, November 2024, Public Certification Report FISF Faroe Islands Demersal

Environmental Notes

• Interactions with sea turtles, and marine mammals occur in this fishery but impacts are unlikely to be significant, however better data is needed to understand the combined impact of fisheries in the area. A strategy is in place to manage impacts on ETP species.
• There is bycatch of non-ETP seabird species but the number of mortalities is low. A national bycatch reduction strategy is in place.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. But, the fishery is considered highly unlikely to irreparably reduce habitat structure and function.

General Notes

References

MRAG Americas, February 2022, U.S. Acadian Redfish, Pollock and Haddock Otter Trawl Fishery Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
• This fishery was in the Jonah Crab FIP from 2014-2017.

Environmental Notes

• Interactions with marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles have been documented in the fishery but management measures are in place. More information is needed to fully understand the potential impact of the fishery on ETP species.
• There is a risk of bycatch and discards in the longfin squid fishery.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact the sea bed. However, the fishery impacts are considered highly unlikely to cause serious or irreversible harm though more information is needed to confirm that it is highly unlikely to affect all vulnerable marine ecosystems in the fishery area. Area closures are used to minimise habitat impacts from bottom gears.

General Notes

References

SCS Global Services, December 2025, U.S. Northeastern Coast Longfin Inshore Squid and Northern Shortfin Squid Bottom Trawl Fishery
MSC Fishery Assessment Report

Environmental Notes

• Sharks and rays are caught in snapper and grouper fisheries but data is not routinely collected. Live bycatch of ETP species is released.
• There is insufficient information to determine the impact of the fishery on the main bycatch species and there are no specific management measures in place to reduce bycatch.
•  This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Fishery Progress - Indonesia snapper and grouper - bottom longline, dropline, and trap (ADI)

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on ETP species.
• Bycatch in this fishery is considered low.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• No additional notes.

Environmental Notes

• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to impact ETP species.
• Hand harvesting of clams is likely to have minimal bycatch.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References

Seafood Watch, March 2024, Northern quahog, Softshell clam, United States: Northwest Atlantic, Hand implements

Environmental Notes

• This fishery interacts with ETP species, Pacific eulachon and pink-footed shearwater, but is unlikely to hinder their recovery. The use of bycatch reduction devices has reduced bycatch of eulachon.
• Catch of other species is managed under the Pacific Groundfish Fisheries Management Plan. In addition, bycatch reduction measures are used in the shrimp fishery. Impacts on seabird bycatch of the non-ETP species, Sooty shearwater, are thought to be negligible.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact the sea bed. The shrimp fishery operates over sandy or muddy habitat and the recovery time for gear impacts is estimated to be relatively short. Management measures including area closures help protect habitats.

General Notes

References

MRAG Americas, August 2023, US West Coast Pink Shrimp (Pandalus jordani) Trawl Fishery Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• Potential interactions with ETP species include seabirds and marine mammals but the impacts of this fishery on those species are considered to be very small and management measures are used to minimize interactions.
• Bycatch for this fishery is considered low and management measures are in place to limit the impact of the fishery on bycatch species.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed but observer coverage is low and there is some uncertainty around the potential impacts.

General Notes

• No additional notes

Environmental Notes

• There are concerns over Chinook salmon bycatch, but several management measures are in place including area closures, which have significantly reduced bycatch levels.
• Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact the sea bed. However, management measures are in place, including marine protected areas.

General Notes

• No additional notes.

Environmental Notes

• Seabird bycatch of ETP species has not been reported. Bycatch of Laysan albatross and black-footed albatross is monitored though they are not endangered. The use of streamer lines is required.
•  Management measures are in place to manage catch of other fish species. Some bycatch of non-ETP seabirds occurs in the longline fishery but is not thought to have a significant impact on the affected species. Mitigation measures include the use of streamer lines on larger vessels.
• Bottom-set longlines can affect the seafloor but are highly unlikely to reduce habitat structure. Gear is mainly set on soft substrate and is expected to have negligible impacts.

General Notes

References

SCS Global Services, May 2026, US North Pacific halibut and sablefish MSC Fishery Assessment Report Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• Catches of the ETP species spiny dogfish have been reported in this fishery but management measures are in place to limit impacts on sharks, skates and rays.
• Bycatch species are data-deficient and there is a lack of recent information regarding the composition of catches in this fishery. Some management measures are in place, including the use of area closures.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, management measures are in place, including the use of area closures to protect vulnerable habitats.

General Notes

References
Organización Internacional Agropecuaria S.A. (OIA), June 2023, Public Certification Report Patagonian Scallop Bottom Otter Trawl Fishery in Argentine Sea

Environmental Notes

• While encounters with marine mammals and birds have been documented in this fishery, the impact on ETP species is not thought to be significant.
• There is no risk of bycatch for this fishery. Catches of other salmon species are accounted for in the pink salmon management.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the benthic habitat.

General Notes

References
MRAG Americas, November 2024, MSC 4th Reassessment Report Alaska Salmon Fishery

Environmental Notes

• ETP species potentially impacted by this fishery include several species of wolfish, leatherback turtles, and most urgently, endangered North Atlantic right whales. Efforts to explore whale-safe gear are ongoing.
• The crab fishery is considered to be low impact with regard to bycatch of other species; however, availability of published quantitative bycatch statistics is limited.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References
Fishery Progress, Canada Gulf of St. Lawrence snow crab - pot/trap

Environmental Notes

• Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used. The sustainability of wild capture fisheries varies.
• The risk of escapes varies by production system and is higher for net pen systems compared to raceway systems, with large escape events from net pens documented in the past. Rainbow trout is not native to the provinces where it is farmed but has become established as a result of stocking programs. The risk of competitive or genetic impacts on wild fish populations is low to moderate. Disease issues are not a major concern because of regulatory controls and best management practices.
• There is potential for effluent discharge to have harmful effects at a site level as well as cumulative effects to receiving waterbodies, but data suggest that management and regulation have been effective in reducing nutrient concerns related to effluent. Use of antimicrobials including those important to human health is known to occur but may be low.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
•  A farm-based approach is applied to management and licensing.

References

Seafood Watch, September 2024, Rainbow trout, Canada, Freshwater net pens, Freshwater raceways, Ponds, Tanks

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on ETP species.
• Bycatch for this fishery is considered low and does not include species of concern. There are some concerns about potential impacts from lost fishing gear but the number of lost pots reported is low.
• Pots come into contact with the seabed but are unlikely to have a significant impact. Vulnerable habitats such as corals do not overlap with the fishery.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References
Seafood Watch, November 2025, Golden king crab, red king crab, Tanner crab, Snow crab, United States: Alaska, Pots

Environmental Notes

• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

Environmental Notes

• Occasional interactions with ETP species including marine mammals, sea turtles, sharks, skates and rays may occur but fishery impacts are not likely to hinder the recovery of these species. 
• Saithe is caught in a multispecies fishery. Observer programmes are used to collect data on retained and discarded species.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact the sea bed. However, the fishery impacts are considered highly unlikely to cause serious or irreversible harm though more information is needed to confirm that it is highly unlikely to affect all vulnerable marine ecosystems in the fishery area. Area closures are used to help protect vulnerable habitats.

General Notes

References

LRQA, February 2024, US Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank haddock, pollock and redfish trawl Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to sea turtles, seabirds, sharks and rays, and marine mammals with this fishery, but management measures are in place. Vessels are required to report catches and use good handling practices when interacting with ETP species.
• Other tunas, billfishes, and sharks are caught in this fishery. The main bait species used is Japanese sardine.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Control Union (UK) Limited, July 2023, American Samoa EEZ tuna longline fishery Public Certification Report

SCS Global, September 2024, Tri Marine Pacific Ocean Longline Tuna fishery Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• There is limited information about the impacts of this fishery on ETP species.
• More information is needed to understand the impacts of this fishery on bycatch species. Specific management measures to address bycatch are lacking. 

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed but information on impacts is not routinely collected.

   

General Notes

References

Fishery Progress - Indonesia snapper and grouper - bottom longline, dropline, trap, and gillnet (ADI)

Environmental Notes

• While encounters with marine mammals and birds have been documented in this fishery, the impact on ETP species is not thought to be significant.
• Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the benthic habitat.

General Notes

References
MRAG Americas, November 2024, MSC 4th Reassessment Report Alaska Salmon Fishery

Environmental Notes

• There is a risk to ETP species with this fishery. Longlines present a hazard to sharks, sea turtles, seabirds and marine mammals. Some mitigation measures have been adopted but compliance with observer coverage and reporting requirements for ETP species is poor.
• All retained and discarded catches are reported but observer coverage is low in Indonesia's longline fleet.
• Drifting longlines and other longlines are unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Fishery Progress -  Indonesia Indian Ocean tuna and large pelagics - longline

Environmental Notes

• The fishery presents a risk to ETP species of sea turtles, seabirds, sharks, and marine mammals. Some management measures are in place to help protect vulnerable species.
• Bycatch of other species is high and monitoring of longline fleets in the Eastern Pacific Ocean is considered ineffective. There are some measures in place to reduce bycatch impacts, but they may be insufficient to reduce impacts among some species. This fishery catches species that play an essential role in the food web, and more robust measures may be needed to protect the ecosystem.
• Drifting longlines and other longlines are unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Fishery Progress - Costa Rica large pelagics - longline and green stick

Seafood Watch, April 2025, Albacore, Bigeye tuna, Yellowfin tuna, Dolphinfish, Skipjack tuna, Swordfish, Eastern Central Pacific Ocean, Longlines, Floating object purse seine (FAD), Dolphin set purse seine, Unassociated purse seine (non-FAD), Trolling lines

Environmental Notes

• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

• Environmental impacts are addressed to some degree by certification.

References

Seafood Watch, Tilapia, Global Aquaculture Alliance Certified BAP 2, 3, 4-star

Environmental Notes

• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

• Environmental impacts are addressed to some degree by certification.

References
Seafood Watch, Tilapia, Global Aquaculture Alliance Certified BAP 2, 3, 4-star

Environmental Notes

• Profile not yet complete.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, GMRI.

Environmental Notes

• Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used but semi-intensive production systems use limited amounts of feed meaning that the feed footprint is low.
• Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a concern but impacts do not appear to be significant. Farms are prone to flooding, which increases the risk of escape events occurring, but escape prevention measures are used. Shrimp farmed in Ecuador are raised from hatchery-raised native broodstock, therefore lowering the risk to wild shrimp populations of competition or genetic interactions.
• Chemical inputs are commonly used on Ecuadorian farms but most do not present a significant concern. Low stocking densities reduce the need for chemical and antibiotic inputs, and regulations on the use of antibiotics are enforced.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
• The government has adopted a farm-based approach to aquaculture regulations and licensing.

References:

FishSource - shrimp, Ecuador

Good Fish Guide - King prawn, South America: Ecuador, Honduras, Pond, semi-intensive

Good Fish Guide - King prawn, Global, Global Seafood Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices (GAA BAP) 2* and 3*

Seafood Watch, March 2021, Whiteleg shrimp, Ecuador, Semi-intensive Ponds

Seafood Watch, Whiteleg shrimp, Worldwide, Global Aquaculture Alliance Certified BAP Standard: Finfish and Crustacean Farms (2, 3, 4-star)

Environmental Notes

• Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used. Certification criteria encourage the use of responsibly sourced marine products in feed. But there is little transparency on the ingredients used in feed across the sector.
• Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a concern but infrequent water exchange on whiteleg shrimp farms moderates the risk. Whiteleg shrimp are not native to India and there is potential for ecological impacts from escapes but there is no evidence of the species becoming established in the wild.
• Pollution from nutrients and organic matter, as well as chemical inputs, may affect local water quality. Waste discharge from whiteleg shrimp ponds is typically limited to once per production cycle. The use of antibiotics important to human health and continued use of illegal antibiotics is a concern.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
• The aquaculture industry is currently managed under a farm-based approach. Shrimp farms are managed by the Coastal Aquaculture Authority through the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) Act and Guidelines, which acknowledge the importance of zonal management.

References

FishSource - Shrimp, India

Good Fish Guide - King prawn, Asia: Vietnam, India and Indonesia, Pond, semi-intensive and intensive

Good Fish Guide - King prawn, Global, Pond, freshwater, Global Seafood Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices (GAA BAP) 2* and 3*

Good Fish Guide - King prawn, Global, Pond, freshwater, Global Seafood Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices (GAA BAP) 4*

Seafood Watch, October 2021, Whiteleg Shrimp, Giant Tiger Prawn, India, Ponds

Seafood Watch, Whiteleg shrimp, Worldwide, Global Aquaculture Alliance Certified BAP Standard: Finfish and Crustacean Farms (2, 3, 4-star)

Environmental Notes

• Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used. Certification criteria encourage the use of responsibly sourced marine products in feed. But there is little transparency on the ingredients used in feed across the sector.
• Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a concern but evidence for this occurring is limited. Whiteleg shrimp are not native to Indonesia and there is potential for ecological impacts from escapes but there is no evidence of the species becoming established in the wild.
• Pollution from nutrients and organic matter, as well as chemical inputs, may affect local water quality and cumulative impacts across a region may occur. Information about chemical inputs used on Indonesian shrimp farms is limited. The use of antibiotics important to human health and continued use of illegal antibiotics is a concern.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
• Legislation on zonal planning that is relevant to aquaculture does exist. The government has produced a coastal and marine spatial plan that identifies multiple aquaculture zones. But gaps in understanding may be hindering effective implementation.

References:

FishSource - Shrimp, Indonesia

Good Fish Guide - King prawn, Asia: Vietnam, India and Indonesia, Pond, semi-intensive and intensive

Good Fish Guide - King prawn, Global, Global Seafood Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices (GAA BAP) 2* and 3*

Seafood Watch, May 2025, Giant Tiger Prawn, Whiteleg Shrimp, Indonesia, Extensive pond, Intensive pond, Semi-intensive pond

Seafood Watch, Whiteleg shrimp, Worldwide, Global Aquaculture Alliance Certified BAP Standard: Finfish and Crustacean Farms (2, 3, 4-star)

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on ETP species. Rates of interactions with ETP species are low and there is 100% observer coverage.
• Bycatch of seabirds occurs in this fishery but is considered low. Management measures in place include gear limitations and 100% observer coverage.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. Areas with vulnerable marine ecosystems are closed to trawling and gear modifications have been implemented to limit habitat impacts.

General Notes

References

Environmental Notes

• There is a risk to ETP species with this fishery. The fishery is known to interact with sea turtles, and may also present a hazard to seabirds and marine mammals. Management measures include requirements to report interactions and the use of bycatch mitigation measures such as circle hooks.
• Bycatch in the longline fishery includes other tunas, sharks, and billfishes. There are some mitigation measures in place, but an increase in observer coverage is needed.
• Drifting longlines and other longlines are unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

FisheryProgress - Costa Rica large pelagics - longline and green stick

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to sharks, seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals with this fishery. Improvements in data are needed to better understand the impact of the fishery on ETP species.
• Bycatch in the longline fishery includes other tunas, sharks, and billfishes. There are some resolutions in place to protect bycatch species, but an increase in compliance is needed.
• Longlines are unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

FisheryProgress - Indonesia Indian Ocean tuna and large pelagics - longline

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to sharks, sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals with this fishery. Some mitigation measures are in place but compliance is a concern.
• Bycatch is a risk in this fishery. The risk of bycatch in associated purse seine fisheries is higher than in unassociated (FAD-free) purse seine fisheries. An increase in observer coverage is needed.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References

Good Fish Guide - Yellowfin tuna, Western and Central Pacific, Net (purse seine on aggregating devices or free-schooling fish)

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to sharks, sea turtles, and marine mammals with this fishery. Some mitigation measures are in place but the effectiveness of them is difficult to measure.
• Bycatch is a risk in this fishery. The risk of bycatch in associated purse seine fisheries is higher than in unassociated (FAD-free) purse seine fisheries and includes higher catches of juvenile tuna.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References

Good Fish Guide - Yellowfin tuna, Western and Central Pacific, Net (purse seine on aggregating devices or free-schooling fish)

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to sharks, sea turtles, and marine mammals with this fishery. Some mitigation measures are in place but the effectiveness of them is difficult to measure.
• Bycatch is a risk in this fishery. The risk of bycatch in associated purse seine fisheries is higher than in unassociated (FAD-free) purse seine fisheries and includes higher catches of juvenile tuna.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• This fishery is assessed as low risk by our nonprofit science partner, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

References

Good Fish Guide - Yellowfin tuna, Western and Central Pacific, Net (purse seine on aggregating devices or free-schooling fish)

Environmental Notes

• There is a risk to ETP species with this fishery but impacts are not well understood.
• Bycatch includes other tunas and billfishes. All main bycatch species are regularly assessed and are being managed.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Fishery Progress, Vietnam yellowfin tuna - handline