Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on ETP species.
• Bycatch for this fishery is considered low. Management measures are in place to monitor bycatch and reduce impacts.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

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.

References

Good Fish Guide - Alaska pollock, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands: Certified fleets only, Net (pelagic trawl), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Good Fish Guide - Alaska pollock, Gulf of Alaska: Certified fleets only, Net (pelagic trawl), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

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. Management measures such as seasonal closures are in place to reduce the risk of interactions with the species.
• 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 2021, Maritime Canada inshore lobster trap fishery Public Certification Report

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.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but non-target species are retained. Management measures are in place to reduce impacts on retained species.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. 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 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.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but non-target species are retained. Management measures are in place to reduce impacts on retained species.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

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 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.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but non-target species are retained. Management measures are in place to reduce impacts on retained species.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

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

• Bycatch of the vulnerable spotted wolffish and beaked redfish is a concern.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but non-target species are retained. Management measures are in place to reduce impacts on retained species.
• Bottom trawls directly impact on the sea bed. However, the fishery operates at a depth where it is unlikely to impact vulnerable marine ecosystems.

General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - Atlantic cod, Iceland, Bottom trawl (otter), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Environmental Notes

• Measures to record and reduce bycatch of marine mammals and sea birds in the gillnet and longline component of the fishery are needed.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but non-target species are retained. Management measures are in place to reduce impacts on retained species.
• The impact depends on the gear type. Gillnets and longlines will have less impact on the sea bed than bottom trawls.

General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - Atlantic cod, Iceland, Hook & line (longline), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Environmental Notes

• Salmon production relies on wild capture fisheries for feed. The sustainability of fisheries supplying fishmeal and fish oil varies.
• There are concerns about the impact of farmed salmon escapes and disease outbreaks on wild salmonids. Escapes are a critical conservation concern in Production Areas 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11. In addition, concerns have been expressed about the impact on wild wrasse populations used as cleaner fish to control sea lice.
• Impacts on water quality are localized, but there is potential for cumulative impacts in densely farmed areas. Chemical inputs of pesticides used to control sea lice are of particular concern for farmed Norwegian salmon. The use of chemical pesticides has been reduced over the last five years but varies by Production Areas.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
• The Norwegian salmon industry has adopted a zonal approach to aquaculture management for licensing and disease management through the use of 13 Production Areas nationwide.

References

FishSource - salmon, Norway

Good Fish Guide - Atlantic Salmon, Scotland, Norway and Faroe Islands, Open net pen, marine, GlobalG.A.P.

Seafood Watch, December 2021, Atlantic Salmon, Norway, Marine Net Pens

Environmental Notes

• Salmon rely on wild capture fisheries for feed. Marine ingredients are sourced from fisheries that currently have no serious conservation concerns.
• There are concerns about the impact of farmed salmon escapes and disease outbreaks on wild salmonids. In addition, concerns have been expressed about the impact on wild wrasse populations used as cleaner fish to control sea lice.
• Impacts on water quality are localized, but there is potential for cumulative impacts in densely farmed areas. Chemical inputs of pesticides used to control sea lice are of particular concern for farmed Scottish salmon. The use of chemical pesticides has declined over the last decade but varies by region.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
• The industry follows a zonal approach to aquaculture management with respect to planning, siting, licensing, and operation.

References:

FishSource - salmon, United Kingdom

Good Fish Guide - Atlantic Salmon, Europe: UK, Scotland, Open net pen, marine

Good Fish Guide - Atlantic salmon, Europe: Scotland, Norway, Faroe Islands, Open net pen, marine, GLOBALG.A.P.

Seafood Watch, December 2021, Atlantic Salmon, Scotland, Marine Net Pens 

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to cause unacceptable impacts to ETP species.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but management measures are in place to reduce impacts.
• 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

Control Union, October 2019, MSC Public Certification Report - Principle 2 for Joint demersal fisheries in the North Sea and adjacent waters

Environmental Notes

• Seabass require fishmeal and fishoil from marine feed sources in their diet. Concerns about the sustainability of feed inputs are relatively minor though they are not necessarily certified sustainable.
• Escapes are a concern and little is known about the risk of disease transfer to wild species.
• Impacts on water quality are localized and have not been shown to have cumulative impacts beyond the immediate farm site. Chemical inputs are only used for health management and are applied in a controlled manner. Reports indicate responsible use, but there is a lack of data on the quantity of chemical inputs.

General Notes

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

References:

FishSource - seabass/seabream, Turkey

Good Fish Guide - Seabass, European Union and Turkey, Open net pen, marine

Good Fish Guide - Seabass, European Union and Turkey, Open net pen, marine, GlobalG.A.P.

Seafood Watch, July 2020, Gilthead Seabream, European Seabass and Meagre, European Union, Turkey, Egypt 

Environmental Notes

• Giant tiger prawns are farmed in intensive and extensive systems that may require supplementary inputs of fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources.
• Disease transfer and escapes are not a concern as giant tiger prawns are native to Vietnam, therefore lowering the risk to wild populations. However, the use of wild-caught juveniles to supply or supplement the stock on some farms may present a risk.
• Pollution from nutrients and organic matter, as well as chemical inputs, may affect local water quality. The use of illegal antibiotics is a particular concern.

General Notes

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

References

Good Fish Guide - Tiger prawns, Global, Pond, freshwater, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

Good Fish Guide - Tiger Prawn, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Pond, improved extensive, Pond, semi-intensive

Seafood Watch, Giant tiger prawn, Worldwide, Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certified

Seafood Watch, January 2023, Whiteleg Shrimp, Giant Tiger Prawn, Vietnam, Ponds

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

• 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.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• No additional notes.

Environmental Notes

• Some seal and seabird bycatch has been reported in the trawl fishery.
• Impacts on bycatch species are likely to be low and measures are in place to reduce bycatch but better data is needed.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. Measures to protect vulnerable habitats such as cold water coral reefs are in place.

General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - Haddock, Iceland: All areas, Bottom trawl (otter), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to impact ETP species.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but management measures are in place to reduce impacts on retained species.
• Impacts vary by gear type. Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. Impacts from seine gear are less than those of bottom trawls.

General Notes

• As a mixed fishery, the effects of management measures on other species need to be considered within an ecosystem context.

References

Good Fish Guide - Haddock, North Sea, West of Scotland, Skagerrak: Certified fleets only, Net (demersal seine)

Environmental Notes

• ETP species include skates and rays. Some mitigation measures are in place to reduce impacts.
• This fish is caught as a bycatch species in mixed fisheries.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - Lemon sole, North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, English Channel (East), Bottom trawl (otter)

Environmental Notes

• The only ETP species recorded in the catch are Atlantic wolffish, spotted wolffish and Northern wolffish. Annual catches are low and the shrimp fishery is unlikely to hinder their recovery.
• Bycatch of non-target species is considered low and mitigation measures are 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. Management measures are in place to limit impacts on vulnerable habitats.

General Notes

• This species plays an important role in the marine food web and so potential impacts on the wider marine ecosystem must be monitored.

References
LRQA, June 2022, Canada Northern and Striped Shrimp MSC Public Certification Report

Environmental Notes

• Management measures are in place to limit catch of redfish, which may include the endangered species, golden redfish. While catches are low in this fishery, there are significant concerns about the cumulative impacts of the Barents Sea fisheries upon the golden redfish.
• Bycatch for this fishery is low due to the use of Nordmøre sorting grids and other management measures. The main bycatch species of concern is golden redfish.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed, however, this fishery is considered highly unlikely to have an irreversible impact on habitat structure and function. Measures are in place to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems.

General Notes

• This species plays an important role in the marine food web and so potential impacts on the wider marine ecosystem must be monitored.

References

DNV Business Assurance, January 2024, Public Certification Report Re-assessment for Norway North East Arctic cold water prawn

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have direct impacts on ETP species. While halibut is landed by the offshore fleet, regulations are in place to manage impacts on the species. No interactions with any other ETP species are thought to occur.
• Management measures are in place to reduce impacts on bycatch species. The most commonly caught bycatch species are cod and Greenland halibut. Fishing area closures are implemented if catches of small redfish, cod or halibut exceed thresholds.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed, however, this fishery is considered highly unlikely to have an irreversible impact on habitat structure and function.

General Notes

• This species plays an important role in the marine food web and so potential impacts on the wider marine ecosystem must be monitored.

References

Environmental Notes

• Sharks, skates, and rays may be caught in this fishery.
• Bycatch is a risk for this fishery. Bycatch of cod is a particular concern.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, management measures are in place.

General Notes

• The Project UK FIP concluded in 2024 and is now in transition.

References
Good Fish Guide - Scampi or langoustine, Farn Deeps (FU 6), Bottom trawl (otter), Fishery Improvement Project: Stage 5
Project UK - Nephrops

Environmental Notes

• Sharks, skates, and rays may be caught in this fishery.
• Bycatch for this fishery includes cod, haddock and whiting. Mitigation measures, including the use of more selective gears, have been implemented in Fladen Ground to reduce unwanted catch.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, management measures are in place.

General Notes

• The Project UK FIP concluded in 2024 and is now in transition.

References

Good Fish Guide - Scampi or langoustine, Fladen Ground (FU 7), Bottom trawl (otter), Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
Project UK - Nephrops

Environmental Notes

• Only small inputs of fishmeal from marine feed sources are required.
• Pangasius is native to the Mekong and therefore escaped fish are unlikely to have direct impacts on local ecosystems. However, the effects of disease on pangasius farms upon wild fish populations is unknown. Juveniles used in pangasius farming come from Vietnamese hatcheries and the trade of wild-caught broodstock is limited.
• Pollution from nutrients and organic matter occurs on a relatively small scale when compared to the wider nutrient load in the Mekong. Nevertheless, the cumulative input of effluent from pond water exchange and the disposal of pond sludge contributes to the region's pollution problem. The improper disposal of sludge waste from pond bottoms is especially problematic. Environmental issues are mitigated by the certification standards but discharge limits need improvement. Chemical inputs to Vietnamese pangasius culture are high and there are concerns about the use of antibiotics important to human health.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
• Area-based management approaches are recognised in policy and regulatory documents but there is no evidence of farms being sited according to aquaculture management zones.

References:

FishSource - Pangasius, Vietnam

Good Fish Guide - Basa (Pangasius bocourti & Pangasius hypophthalmus), Global, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

Seafood Watch, February 2014, Pangasius, Vietnam, Ponds (Updated: June 2021)

Seafood Watch, Sutchi catfish, Worldwide, Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certified, Pangasius Standard

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

• Interactions with marine mammals and seabirds occur infrequently. But this fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on 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
SCS Global, October 2022, Annette Islands Reserve Salmon Fishery MSC Fishery Assessment Report

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

• Vessels targeting wellington flying squid incidentally catch marine mammals, seabirds, and sharks, but the number of interactions with this fishery is low and there is a low risk of fishing impacts. Mitigation methods such as streamer (tori) lines and offal management are used in this fishery.
• The target species comprises nearly three-quarters of the catch. Most bycatch species are regulated through the National Quota System, but there is insufficient information to estimate the current stock status of the main bycatch species, barracouta and warehou.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. Area closures have been implemented to reduce impacts.

General Notes

• This species plays an important role in the marine food web and so potential impacts on the wider marine ecosystem must be monitored. The New Zealand government monitors marine ecosystem indicators, but the stock status of squid and bycatch species is unknown.

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 this risk. Whiteleg shrimp are not native to Vietnam and there is potential for ecological impacts from escape 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. Intensive shrimp farms with higher nutrient inputs produce more waste and are associated with greater concerns around pollution. The use of antimicrobials important to human health and evidence of continued use of illegal antimicrobials 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

References:

FishSource - Shrimp, Vietnam

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

Good Fish Guide - King prawn, Global, Pond, freshwater, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

Seafood Watch, January 2023, Whiteleg Shrimp, Giant Tiger Prawn, Vietnam, Ponds

Seafood Watch, Whiteleg shrimp, Worldwide, Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certified Shrimp Standard

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 this risk. Whiteleg shrimp are not native to Vietnam and there is potential for ecological impacts from escape 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. Intensive shrimp farms with higher nutrient inputs produce more waste and are associated with greater concerns around pollution. The use of antimicrobials important to human health and evidence of continued use of illegal antimicrobials 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.

References:

FishSource - Shrimp, Vietnam

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

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

Seafood Watch, January 2023, Whiteleg Shrimp, Giant Tiger Prawn, Vietnam, Ponds

Seafood Watch, Whiteleg shrimp, Worldwide, Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Certified