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

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on ETP species.
• Handline fisheries have little bycatch but rely on the use of baitfish, but impacts on baitfish are thought likely to be low in this fishery.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - Albacore tuna, North Atlantic, Hook & line (pole & line), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Seafood Watch Recommendation for Albacore, Spain, Northeast Atlantic Ocean, Handlines and pole-lines (hand-operated), Trolling lines, Marine Stewardship Council Certified North Atlantic albacore artisanal 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. 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

• At-sea observer coverage provides information on bycaught ETP species, which include; wolffish, Atlantic cod, redfish, sharks and skates, among other species. A management plan is in place to reduce impacts on ETP species.
• At-sea observer coverage is also used to provide information on bycatch of non-ETP species, which include finfish and invertebrates. Bycatch in the offshore fishery is below the critical level at 5.4%. A management plan sets regulations on bycatch.
• 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. Management actions to minimize dredging disturbance include reducing the offshore fleet size, and mapping the bottom floor to increase harvest efficiency.

General Notes

Reference

Lloyd's Register, December 2020, MSC Public Certification Report for Eastern Canada Offshore Scallop Fishery

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

• 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. 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

• This fishery is unlikely to impact ETP species. Gear measures are in place to avoid bycatch of marine mammals.
• Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

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 current stability of the herring population means that ecosystem concerns are low.

References

Good Fish Guide - Herring, North Sea Autumn Spawners: North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, English Channel (East): Certified fleets only, Net (pelagic trawl), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have direct impacts on ETP species but mackerel plays an important role in the marine food web so potential impacts on the wider marine ecosystem must be monitored.
• Bycatch in this fishery is considered low.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• Certification for this fishery was publicly suspended in March 2019 due to concerns regarding overfishing.
• In response to the suspension of the fishery, a supply chain-led initiative called the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy (NAPA) Group was formed by retailers and processors in the UK, and has since expanded to include European retailers and processors. NAPA aims to develop a shared solution to sustainability issues in the North East Atlantic fisheries for mackerel, herring and blue whiting, and is seeking a formal agreement on catch limits for North East Atlantic Pelagic fisheries that reflects the scientific advice.
• The fishery is now in a FIP.

References

North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy (NAPA) Group North East Atlantic mackerel and Atlanto-Scandian herring FIP

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 and Norway, Open net pen, marine, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

Seafood Watch, Atlantic salmon, Worldwide, Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certified, Salmon Standard

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

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

Good Fish Guide - Chilean mussel, Chile, Culture, bottom, Culture, suspension

Seafood Watch, August 2020, Marine Mussels, Mytilus spp, Perna spp., Worldwide, On and Off Bottom Culture

Seafood Watch Recommendations, Chilean mussel, Worldwide, Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certified Bivalve Standard

Environmental Notes

• Previous concerns over interactions with seabirds have been mitigated using bird scaring lines and a reduction in fishing effort. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the extent of fishery interactions with some ETP species.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but there is a strategy in place for managing retained species. The estimated discard rate for the fishery is low.
• 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

References
LLoyd's Register, 2021, MSC Public Certification Report for South Africa Hake Trawl Fishery - Third Reassessment

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to marine mammals of entanglement in pot ropes. Management measures are in place to minimize the impact of the fishery on ETP species.
• This species is caught in a mixed fishery for lobster and crab. Non-target species are usually released alive. Management measures including minimum landing sizes and escape panels are in place to reduce bycatch.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

FisheryProgress - FIP: UK Orkney brown crab - pot

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to impact ETP species.
• Measures are in place to prevent fishing from hindering the recovery and rebuilding of the main bycatch species.
• 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

Bureau Veritas, April 2020, MSC Public Certification Report for Cantabrian Sea Purse Seine Anchovy Fishery

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to vulnerable species with this fishery including sharks, skates, marine mammals and seabirds. In addition, bycatch with bottom trawl gear may include the vulnerable North Sea cod.
• Bycatch is a risk for this fishery. Some measures are in place to reduce bycatch in this fishing area.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact the sea bed. There are some mitigation measures in place to reduce impacts.

General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - European hake, Northern stock (North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay (north)): North Sea and Celtic Seas, Bottom trawl (otter)

Good Fish Guide - European hake, Northern stock (North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay (north)): North Sea and Celtic Seas, Net (gill or fixed)

Environmental Notes

• Available data is still limited, but interactions with ETP species are likely to be low in the purse seine fishery. Commonly reported bycatch in the area includes sharks and rays, sea turtles, marine mammals, and sunfish.
• No more than 3% of the total catch for Moroccan small pelagic fisheries is allowed to comprise bycatch.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

• This fishery was covered by the Morocco sardine - pelagic trawl and seine FIP, which is now listed as 'INACTIVE' as it did not meet reporting requirements.
• 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 - Sardine, Northwest Africa: Zone A and B (Central), Net (pelagic trawl; purse seine)

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

• No additional notes.

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, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

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

• Bream require fishmeal and fish oil 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.
• Pollution from nutrients and organic matter are a concern with open net pens. But impacts from effluent are localized. 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:

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

Good Fish Guide - Gilthead bream, European Union and Turkey, Open net pen, marine, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

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

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

• Bycatch of seabirds by longline gear is the main concern. Some seal and seabird bycatch has also 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.
• Impacts will vary by gear type. 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

• Catches of ETP species in the Northeast Atlantic include marine mammals, skates and rays.
• This fish is caught as a bycatch species in mixed fisheries. Bycatch data is limited.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

This fishery was in a FIP at the time of sourcing but the FIP has since become inactive.

References

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

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on ETP species.
• Bycatch of non-squid species is not likely.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

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

FisheryProgress - Indonesia North Sumatra squid - handline

Seafood Watch, February 2025, Environmental sustainability assessment of wild-caught squids from India, Indonesia, and Thailand caught using bottom trawls, cast nets, and jigs

Environmental Notes

• There are risks to marine mammals, sharks, skates and seabirds with this fishery, but there is insufficient data available to assess significance.
• This fish is caught as a target species and as bycatch in mixed trawl fisheries. Bycatch is a risk for this fishery, but available information is limited.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the seabed. Some area closures are in place to protect vulnerable habitats.

General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - Black-bellied monkfish, North Sea, Rockall and West of Scotland, Kattegat and Skagerrak, Bottom trawl (otter)

Good Fish Guide - White Monkfish, North Sea, Rockall and West of Scotland, Kattegat and Skagerrak, Bottom trawl (otter)

Project UK - Monkfish

Environmental Notes

• No adverse interactions with ETP species have been identified and measures are in place to reduce potential impacts on predators such as birds.
• Bycatch is not an issue for mussel culture and wild spat collection occurs naturally.
• Rope mussel farms can impact benthic habitats through the build up of waste and debris under the ropes but no significant concerns were found and management measures are in place to reduce the potential for impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems. No external feed inputs are used and mussel culture has been show to improve local water quality.

General Notes

• This is an enhanced fishery, which comprises a wild harvest (seed collection) followed by a grow-out phase.

References

Good Fish Guide - Blue mussel, UK and Ireland (Republic of), All areas, Culture, suspension, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

LRQA, December 2022, Shetland and Scottish Mainland Rope Grown Mussel Enhanced Fishery Public Certification Report

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.
• 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, May 2024, Public Certification Report Re-assessment for Estonia 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

• This fishery is unlikely to impact ETP species. The fishery has reported catching a small number of the ETP bird species Thick-billed murre. Given the small number of interactions (four birds were reported caught between 2020 and 2022), the fishery is not thought to have significant detrimental effects.
• Bycatch for this fishery is low due to the use of Nordmøre sorting grids and other management measures.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. 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

LRQA, January 2024, Public Certification Report for the West Greenland Coldwater prawn fishery

Environmental Notes

• Sharks, skates, and rays may be caught in this fishery.
• Bycatch includes cod, haddock and whiting. Management measures are in place, including a national cod avoidance plan and more selective gears have been implemented to try to reduce unwanted catch.
• Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, some management measures are in place. Marine protected areas overlap with some of these fishing areas, though not all have management measures in place to control fishing.

General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - Scampi or langoustine, Firth of Clyde and Sound of Jura (FU 13), Bottom trawl (otter), Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)

MSC Improvement Program - UK Nephrops

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

• Trout have a high requirement for fish in their diet.
• There are concerns about the impact of escape events and disease outbreaks. Marine net pens have been linked to large escape events in the past decade. Producers are permitted to use lethal control on predators.
• Impacts on water quality depend on the farming method used. Chemical usage is monitored. Production using open net cages and ponds results in the discharge of waste and nutrients directly into the surrounding water.

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 - Rainbow trout, UK, Norway, Turkey, Open net pen, marine, GLOBALG.A.P.

Environmental Notes

• Previous concerns over interactions with seabirds have been mitigated using bird scaring lines and a reduction in fishing effort. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the extent of fishery interactions with some ETP species.
• There is bycatch for this fishery but there is a strategy in place for managing retained species. The estimated discard rate for the fishery is low.
• 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

References
LLoyd's Register, 2021, MSC Public Certification Report for South Africa Hake Trawl Fishery - Third Reassessment

Environmental Notes

• This fishery is unlikely to impact ETP species.
• Bycatch for this fishery is considered low. There is some catch of yellowfin tuna but management measures are in place. The use of live baitfish is monitored and the Maldives has a livebait management plan.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - Skipjack tuna, Indian Ocean: Certified fleets only (Maldives), Hook & line (pole & line)

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

• 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

• 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.
• The low stocking densities of whiteleg shrimp allow for minimal inputs of chemicals and antibiotics.

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, Pond, freshwater, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

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

Environmental Notes

• The use of wild fish in Honduran shrimp feed inputs is low.
• Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a concern for the region but the low stocking densities used in Honduras help to reduce the risk of outbreaks. Information on escapes from shrimp farms is limited. Whiteleg shrimp are native to Honduras, therefore lowering the environmental risk from escapes, however there is still potential for interbreeding with wild shrimp populations to result in reduced genetic fitness.
• Feed and chemical inputs are limited, thereby reducing the risk of impacts on local water quality. Impacts vary depending on farm practices including the frequency of waste discharge from ponds. Some farms have been found to exceed regulatory limits for waste discharge.

General Notes

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

References:

FishSource - shrimp, Honduras

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

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

Seafood Watch, July 2015, Farmed Whiteleg Shrimp, Honduras, Ponds

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

Environmental Notes

• Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used. Feed use is greatest in intensive and semi-intensive production. 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 of transmission 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. Effluent discharge management limits may not prevent cumulative impacts and enforcement is negatively impacted by a lack of resources among key agencies. The authorized 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.

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, Pond, freshwater, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

Seafood Watch, May 2025, Giant Tiger Prawn, Whiteleg Shrimp, Indonesia, Ponds

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

Environmental Notes

• Most shrimp culture in Nicaragua relies on inputs of fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources. The sustainability of source fisheries is unknown, but certification criteria encourage the use of responsibly sourced marine products in feed.
• Habitat conversion for Nicaraguan shrimp farms has affected areas important to shore birds. Escapes can occur during water exchanges and flooding incidences. Shrimp farmed in Nicaragua are native to the country and interbreeding with wild populations may result in reduced genetic fitness. Information on the use of wild shrimp populations as a source of stock is limited. Disease transfer from farmed shrimp to wild shrimp populations in Nicaragua has not been reported.
• Pollution from nutrients and organic matter, as well as chemical inputs, may affect local water quality. Impacts on water quality vary depending on farm practices including the frequency of waste discharge from ponds.

General Notes

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

References:

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

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Whiteleg shrimp

Seafood Watch, February 2024, White‐leg shrimp, Nicaragua, Ponds

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 Thailand 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. Impacts on water quality vary depending on the frequency of waste discharge from ponds. Antibiotic usage in the Thai industry has declined but there is evidence of the use of antimicrobials important to human health.

General Notes

• The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.
• Shrimp farming is restricted to designated shrimp aquaculture zones, however, the cumulative impact of multiple farms does not appear to have been considered.

References:

FishSource - Shrimp, Thailand

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

Seafood Watch, July 2020, Whiteleg Shrimp, Thailand, Intensive 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, 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

• 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 are risks to sea turtles, sharks, and sea birds with this fishery. Data on interactions is limited but there is increased monitoring underway in certified fleets.
• The main bycatch species in this fishery include billfish and other tuna species. Although the main bycatch stocks are not overfished they are in decline and at risk of overfishing.
• This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.

General Notes

References

Control Union, June 2020, MSC Public Certification Report for Pan Pacific yellowfin, bigeye and albacore tuna longline fishery

Good Fish Guide - Yellowfin tuna, Western and Central Pacific, Hook & line (longline), Marine Stewardship Council