Waitrose & Partners

The John Lewis Partnership is the UK's largest employee owned company and parent company of two cherished retail brands – John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners, which are owned in Trust by our partners. Over 100 years ago our founder John Spedan Lewis set out the principles for how our Company should operate and produced a written Constitution to help Partners understand their rights and responsibilities as co-owners.

Waitrose has long championed responsible practices. From our pioneering work across free-range and organic, our support of local British produce to our efforts to promote the highest possible standards in animal welfare and responsible fishing, we are committed to doing the right thing and continue to grow and align our business to our founding principles of integrity, fairness and innovation.

Waitrose & Partners has 338* shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, including 61 convenience branches, and another 27 shops at Welcome Break locations. We export products to more than 50 countries worldwide, have nine shops which operate under licence in the Middle East and having a growing omni-channel presence through Waitrose.com, Waitrose Cellar and Waitrose Florist.

* as of July 2020

Number of wild caught species used
Number of farmed species used
% volume from certified fisheries and farms*
% volume from a FIP
% volume from uncertified sources

Number of wild caught species used

50

Number of farmed species used

11

% volume from certified fisheries and farms*

92

% volume from a FIP

2.9

% volume from uncertified sources

4.4

Production Methods Used
    • Midwater trawl
    • Bottom trawl
    • Dredge
    • Purse seine
    • Seine nets
    • Gillnets and entangling nets
    • Hook and line
    • Longlines
    • Handlines and pole-lines
    • Rake / hand gathered / hand netted
    • Pots and traps
    • Miscellaneous
    • Farmed
Summary

Our responsible sourcing:

At Waitrose & Partners, we only procure fish and seafood that is responsibly fished or farmed: we are committed to responsible seafood sourcing and as such have had a strategy on this for over 15 years. We are pioneers of ground-breaking animal welfare and CSR initiatives and we have long-term working partnerships with our farmers. All Waitrose Branded seafood complies with our responsible sourcing criteria and Sustainable Seafood Coalition guidelines: as a result, 92.7% of our own label fish and shellfish is independently certified as responsibly sourced to a recognised* third party standard. We have action plans for the remaining percentage to help move these products to certification, and are supporting a number of important fisheries working towards achieving certified status through several Fisheries Improvement Projects.

Specific policies

We have a number of specific policies and requirements that form part of our responsible sourcing approach including but not limited to:

  • We have a farmed fish sourcing policy that covers 4 key areas, including only sourcing fish from known and approved farms, rearing fish to the highest animal welfare using responsible feeds and feeding regimes, and respecting the environment.
  • We implement a formal ‘feet on the farm’ assessment scheme called ‘Responsible Efficient Production (REP) index' for our famed salmon, sea grown trout, bass, bream, and prawns, which not only captures core data on a range of farming activities but also sets targets and rewards excellence. The assessment is an in-depth audit of processes, procedures and results and measures a range of criteria, which monitors and drives supplier’s demonstrable continuous improvement.
  • Marine raw materials used for the production of Waitrose fish feeds must come from managed fisheries, or be produced from trimmings from fish caught for human consumption. All the marine ingredients used in the production of Waitrose salmon, trout and halibut are from MarinTrust certified stocks and it is our intention that all farmed fish diets will be produced using MarinTrust or MSC certified marine ingredients. The marine feed ingredients used in the fish feed for Waitrose Organic salmon and Halibut are produced from trimmings from fish caught for human consumption. We are also deeply involved in a number of innovative projects that explore alternative sustainable proteins for farmed fish feed.
  • Our farmed finfish are pre-slaughter stunned.
  • We do not allow beam trawling, and this has been our policy since 2007.
  • We do not allow the use of fish aggregation devices (FADs) with purse seining: All our own label skipjack tuna is pole and line caught and has been for over 10 years. Since April 2013, all the skipjack tuna used in our business, both canned and in salads and sandwiches, has been certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). We have a policy for branded tuna too: it must be pole and line caught or MSC certified to be permitted for sale in our stores.
  • We are members of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and require our suppliers to conform with the their Best Practice Framework for the management of fishing gear.
  • We do not sell wild caught warm water prawns.
  • We support the development of tools that provide assurance of the protection of human rights and decent working conditions in all supply chains, including on fishing vessels. One such example is the Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard and we have a commitment to all our UK fishing vessels to achieve this standard.

Traceability: Suppliers of Waitrose fish must demonstrate a high level of traceability for all its fish and seafood. Traceability, as well as providing food safety, helps to minimise the risk of illegally caught fish entering the Waitrose supply chain. This is an essential step in preventing this criminal activity that causes serious economic losses, undermines conservation efforts in fisheries and damages the food security of nations and individuals.

Awards: The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) named our fish counters the best in the UK for the second year in a row: Waitrose & Partners was recognised for the largest variety of MSC labelled products available at our fresh fish counters. We also jointly hold the Tier 1 position for the 2019 BBFAW Benchmark: this means we are one of only 6 companies in the world to be recognised as having the best animal welfare for our livestock including our farmed finfish.

Membership of organisations: As part of our responsible sourcing strategy Waitrose & partners fund and/or participate in a variety of initiatives including but not limited to: the Global Tuna Alliance; Responsible Fishing Vessel Scheme - Oversight board and technical advisory committee; Seafood Ethics Action Alliance; Sustainable Seafood Coalition; Global Ghost Gear Initiative; and 7 Fisheries Improvement Projects.

* We recognise the following third party certification schemes for our wild caught fish: Marine Stewardship Council (MSC); FAO Based Responsible Fisheries Management Schemes (FAO-RFM), i.e. Icelandic Responsible Fisheries Certification (IRF) and Alaskan Seafood Marketing Institute’s (ASMI) RFM Certification; Friend of the sea (FOS). The following independent third party standards for farmed fish are recognised for our farmed fish: Global Gap certification, Global Aquaculture Alliance Best Aquaculture practice for farmed fish 4 Star, Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Organic standards.

This profile covers all wild-caught and farmed seafood sourced for Waitrose's own-label seafood in 2019 in the following categories:

  • Service counter
  • Prepacked chilled
  • Seafood
  • Frozen
  • Canned fish
  • Food to go
  • Prepared meals
  • Entertaining

Associated Fisheries

Species and Location
Production Methods
Certification or Improvement Project
Sustainability Ratings
Notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

Alaska pollock

Theragra chalcogramma

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

Fishery countries:
United States

Production Methods

  • Midwater trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended

NOAA FSSI

4

NOAA FSSI

  • 0
  • 0.5
  • 1
  • 1.5
  • 2
  • 2.5
  • 3
  • 4
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have direct impacts on PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • 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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Alaska pollock

Theragra chalcogramma

Sea of Okhotsk

Fishery countries:
Russia

Production Methods

  • Midwater trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have direct impacts on PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • 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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Albacore

Thunnus alalunga

Indian Ocean

Fishery countries:
South Korea

Production Methods

  • Longlines

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Needs Improvement

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 4

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals and sharks with this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • Bycatch of other tuna, billfishes and sharks is a risk for this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Albacore

Thunnus alalunga

North Atlantic

Fishery countries:
Spain

Production Methods

  • Hook and line
  • Handlines and pole-lines

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact ETP species; incidental capture by troll and pole-and-line gear is uncommon.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

MSC: North Atlantic albacore artisanal fishery

Bureau Veritas Iberia, June 2016, MSC Public Certification Report for North Atlantic albacore artisanal fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag

Albacore

Thunnus alalunga

North Pacific

Fishery countries:
South Korea

Production Methods

  • Longlines

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals and sharks with this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • Bycatch of other tuna, billfishes and sharks is a risk for this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Albacore

Thunnus alalunga

North Pacific

Fishery countries:
United States

Production Methods

  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species; incidental capture of PET species by troll gear is uncommon.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag fishery flag

Albacore

Thunnus alalunga

South Pacific

Fishery countries:
Cook Islands, Fiji

Production Methods

  • Longlines

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals with this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

American lobster

Homarus americanus

Georges Bank and Off-Shore Nova Scotia

Fishery countries:
Canada

Production Methods

  • Pots and traps

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • Direct effects of the fishery on PET species are thought likely to be low. While entanglement in lobster gear presents a risk to marine mammals, especially North Atlantic right whales, no entanglements of right whales were reported in the MSC public certification report.
  • 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

References

Intertek, 2015, MSC Public Certification Report for Eastern Canada Offshore Lobster Fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag

American lobster

Homarus americanus

Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank

Fishery countries:
United States

Production Methods

  • Pots and traps

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid
Environmental Notes
  • There are potential risks to PET species with this fishery, but mitigation actions are underway.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

American sea scallop

Placopecten magellanicus

Browns and German Bank; Eastern Georges Bank; Eastern Scotian Shelf; St Pierre Bank

Fishery countries:
Canada

Production Methods

  • Dredge

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have significant impacts on PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is likely to be low.
  • Dredges will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

Intertek, June 2015, MSC Public Certification Report for Eastern Canada Offshore Scallop Fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag

Argentine anchovy

Engraulis anchoita

North of 41°S to Santa Catarina

Fishery countries:
Argentina

Production Methods

  • Midwater trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • Occasional interactions with seabirds and marine mammals are known to occur within this fishery, but data is too limited to state whether this hinders their recovery. An MSC condition is in place to provide evidence of effects on PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • 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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Atlantic cod

Gadus morhua

Icelandic

Fishery countries:
Iceland

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets
  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have direct impacts on PET species.
  • 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. Bottom trawls will have the greatest impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Atlantic cod

Gadus morhua

Barents Sea

Fishery countries:
Norway

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets
  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to seabirds and marine mammals with this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • 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. MSC conditions and recommendations are in place to strengthen understanding of fishery interactions with sensitive habitat.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Atlantic cod

Gadus morhua

Barents Sea

Fishery countries:
Russia

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • 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. MSC conditions and recommendations are in place to strengthen understanding of fishery interactions with sensitive habitat.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Atlantic cod

Gadus morhua

North Sea

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on PET species but occasional interactions with elasmobranchs (skates, rays and sharks), grey seals, and allis shad may occur.
  • The main bycatch species include haddock,whiting and saithe, among others. MSC conditions were in place regarding bycatch.
  • 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
  • Certification for this fishery was suspended in October 2019, after the reporting period, due to low stock levels. The Good Fish Guide rating has since been updated to Avoid 5 (Red) in response to the suspension.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Atlantic herring

Clupea harengus

North Sea Autumn spawners

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Midwater trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Atlantic herring

Clupea harengus

NE Atlantic Spring spawners

Fishery countries:
Norway

Production Methods

  • Midwater trawl
  • Purse seine

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

Atlantic herring

Clupea harengus

S Gulf of St. Lawrence fall spawners

Fishery countries:
Canada

Production Methods

  • Midwater trawl
  • Purse seine

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • There is a lack of information on interactions with PET species in this fishery.
  • Information on bycatch is limited.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Atlantic salmon

Salmo salar

United Kingdom

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Salmon rely on wild capture fisheries for feed, but inputs come from IFFO RS or MSC certified sources. Strict feed requirements are applied to organically certified salmon that state that wild-caught marine feed inputs must be sourced from sustainable fisheries.
  • 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. Cumulative impacts are monitored by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Chemical inputs of pesticides used to control sea lice are of particular concern for farmed Scottish salmon.
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:

Good Fish Guide - Salmon, Atlantic (Farmed), Europe, GlobalGap certification

Good Fish Guide - Salmon, Atlantic (Farmed), Europe, Organic certification

Seafood Watch report for farmed salmon, Scotland

FishSource - salmon, United Kingdom

Species and Location

fishery flag

Blue mussel

Mytilus edulis

Limfjord

Fishery countries:
Denmark

Production Methods

  • Dredge

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch in this fishery is considered low.
  • Dredges will directly impact on the sea bed. An MSC condition is in place to assess the impact of mussel dredges on the sea floor.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Blue mussel

Mytilus edulis

Shetland Islands and Scottish Mainland

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Miscellaneous

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch is not an issue for this fishery.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

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

References

Acoura Marine, 2017, MSC Public Certification Report for Shetland and Scottish Mainland Rope Grown mussel Enhanced fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag

Brill

Scophthalmus rhombus

NE Atlantic

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Interactions with PET species are reported to occur but information is limited.
  • Bycatch is a significant risk for this fishery.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

Brill is caught as part of a multispecies fishery. It is mainly caught as a bycatch species in trawl fisheries in the North Sea.

References

Seafood Watch Report for Brill, UK and Northern Ireland, Northeast Atlantic: Bottom trawls, Beam trawls, Fixed gillnets (on stakes), August 2019

Species and Location

fishery flag

Brill

Scophthalmus rhombus

NE Atlantic

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Gillnets and entangling nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Good Alternative

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Marine mammal bycatch is a concern for the gillnet fishery.
  • Bycatch is a significant risk for this fishery.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

Brill is caught as part of a multispecies fishery. It is mainly caught as a bycatch species in trawl fisheries in the North Sea.

References

Seafood Watch Report for Brill, UK and Northern Ireland, Northeast Atlantic: Bottom trawls, Beam trawls, Fixed gillnets (on stakes), August 2019

Species and Location

fishery flag

Brill

Scophthalmus rhombus

NE Atlantic

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • Impacts on PET species are unknown.
  • Bycatch is a significant risk for this fishery.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

Brill is caught as part of a multispecies fishery. It is mainly caught as a bycatch species in trawl fisheries in the North Sea.

References

Seafood Watch Report for Brill, UK and Northern Ireland, Northeast Atlantic: Bottom trawls, Beam trawls, Fixed gillnets (on stakes), August 2019

Species and Location

fishery flag

Carp

Cyprinus carpio

France

Fishery countries:
France

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in an AIP

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • No feed inputs are used.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Chilean mussel

Mytilus chilensis

Chile

Fishery countries:
Chile

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
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
  • The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification.

References

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Chilean mussels

Species and Location

fishery flag

Chilean mussel

Mytilus chilensis

Chilean Region X

Fishery countries:
Chile

Production Methods

  • Miscellaneous

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • There is no risk of bycatch for this fishery.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • This is an enhanced fishery, which comprises a wild harvest (seed collection) followed by a grow-out phase.

References

Institute for Marketecology (IMO), November 2013, Chilean mussel fishery and suspended culture Toralla S.A. and Cultivos Toralla S.A., Región X, Chile Public Certification Report

Species and Location

fishery flag

Chum salmon

Oncorhynchus keta

Alaska

Fishery countries:
United States

Production Methods

  • Purse seine
  • Gillnets and entangling nets
  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Management measures are in place to minimise bycatch of non-target salmon stocks.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References
MRAG Americas, 2019, 3rd Re-Assessment Report Alaska Salmon Fishery MSC Public Certification Report

Species and Location

fishery flag

Coho salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Alaska

Fishery countries:
United States

Production Methods

  • Purse seine
  • Gillnets and entangling nets
  • Longlines

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References
MRAG Americas, 2019, 3rd Re-Assessment Report Alaska Salmon Fishery MSC Public Certification Report

Species and Location

fishery flag

Common sole

Solea solea

Eastern English Channel

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Profile not yet complete.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Cuckoo ray

Raja naevus

Celtic Sea

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 4

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to PET species including the angelshark, which is vulnerable to fishing in this area.
  • Multiple species are likely to be caught in this fishery. This species is caught as bycatch.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Deep-water Cape hake

Merluccius paradoxus

South Africa

Fishery countries:
South Africa

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to seabirds with this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place. An MSC condition is in place to gather information on fishery impacts on bird species.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. An MSC condition is in place to investigate options for protecting benthic habitats.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Edible crab

Cancer pagurus

Orkney

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Pots and traps

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to sea turtles and marine mammals of entanglement in pot ropes with this fishery, although the significance of this risk is unknown.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low. Non-target species are usually released alive.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag fishery flag

European anchovy

Engraulis encrasicolus

Northern Adriatic Sea

Fishery countries:
Croatia, Italy

Production Methods

  • Midwater trawl
  • Purse seine

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Needs Improvement

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Good Alternative

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid
Environmental Notes
  • Bycatch of marine mammals is reported to occur in the European anchovy pelagic fisheries but information on impacts is limited.
  • Other small pelagic species are caught as bycatch.
  • 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

Seafood Watch Report for Atlantic sardine and European anchovy - Mediterranean and Black Seas: Pelagic Trawl and Purse seine, February 2014

Species and Location

fishery flag

European anchovy

Engraulis encrasicolus

Bay of Biscay

Fishery countries:
Spain

Production Methods

  • Purse seine

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET 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

Species and Location

fishery flag

European hake

Merluccius merluccius

NE Atlantic northern stock

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Gillnets and entangling nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • Bycatch of marine mammals is reported to occur in this fishery but rates of catch are within acceptable limits.
  • Large mesh nets are used to reduce bycatch although spotted dogfish, spurdogs, and porbeagle shark are occasionally caught.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

Intertek, June 2015, MSC Public Certification Report for Cornish Hake Gill Net Fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag

European hake

Merluccius merluccius

NE Atlantic northern stock

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • The impact depends on the gear type. Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

ME Certification, July 2018, MSC Expedited Assessment Public Certification Report for SFSAG North Sea haddock

Species and Location

fishery flag

European lobster

Homarus gammarus

Normandy and Jersey

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Pots and traps

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Catch of some crab species is retained. Freezer damaged fish and trawler by-catch is used as bait.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

Good Fish Guide - Lobster, European, Jersey

Species and Location

fishery flag

European pilchard

Sardina pilchardus

Bay of Biscay, Southern Celtic Seas and English Channel

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Purse seine

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • 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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

European pilchard

Sardina pilchardus

NW Africa central

Fishery countries:
Morocco

Production Methods

  • Purse seine

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement
Environmental Notes
  • Available data is still limited, but work is underway in the Moroccan FIP to determine fishery interactions with PET species.
  • Bycatch in this fishery is considered low, but available data is still limited. Work is in progress in the Moroccan FIP to identify and quantify discards.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

European pilchard

Sardina pilchardus

NW Africa southern

Fishery countries:
Morocco

Production Methods

  • Purse seine

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement
Environmental Notes
  • Available data is still limited, but work is underway in the Moroccan FIP to determine fishery interactions with PET species.
  • Bycatch in this fishery is considered low, but available data is still limited. Work is in progress in the Moroccan FIP to identify and quantify discards.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

European plaice

Pleuronectes platessa

Icelandic

Fishery countries:
Iceland

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to cause unacceptable impacts to PET 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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

European plaice

Pleuronectes platessa

North Sea and Skagerrak

Fishery countries:
Netherlands

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement
Environmental Notes
  • Profile not yet complete.
  • Profile not yet complete.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

European plaice

Pleuronectes platessa

North Sea and Skagerrak

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on PET species.
  • There are no main bycatch species for this fishery.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

ME Certification, July 2018, MSC Public Certification Report for SFSAG North Sea haddock

Species and Location

fishery flag

European plaice

Pleuronectes platessa

North Sea and Skagerrak

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on PET species.
  • There are no main bycatch species for this fishery.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

ME Certification, July 2018, MSC Public Certification Report for SFSAG North Sea haddock

Species and Location

fishery flag

European seabass

Dicentrarchus labrax

Greece

Fishery countries:
Greece

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Strict feed requirements are applied to organically certified seabass. 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:

Good Fish Guide - Bass, seabass (Farmed)

Seafood Watch report for farmed European sea bass and Gilthead sea bream, Mediterranean Sea

Species and Location

fishery flag

European seabass

Dicentrarchus labrax

Greece

Fishery countries:
Greece

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
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:

Good Fish Guide - Bass, seabass (Farmed), Europe, GlobalGap Certified

Seafood Watch report for farmed European sea bass and Gilthead sea bream, Mediterranean Sea

Species and Location

fishery flag

European seabass

Dicentrarchus labrax

Spain

Fishery countries:
Spain

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
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:

Good Fish Guide - Bass, seabass (Farmed), Europe, Global GAP certified

Seafood Watch report for farmed European sea bass and Gilthead sea bream, Mediterranean Sea

Species and Location

fishery flag

European seabass

Dicentrarchus labrax

Turkey

Fishery countries:
Turkey

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
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:

Good Fish Guide - Bass, seabass (Farmed), Europe, GLOBALG.A.P. certified

Good Fish Guide - Bass, seabass (Farmed), Europe, ASC certified

Seafood Watch report for farmed European sea bass and Gilthead sea bream, Mediterranean Sea

Species and Location

fishery flag

European sprat

Sprattus sprattus

Bay of Biscay, Southern Celtic Seas and English Channel

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Purse seine

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • 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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Giant tiger prawn

Penaeus monodon

Madagascar

Fishery countries:
Madagascar

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used. Feed inputs are generally not traceable to species level and are not certified sustainable.
  • Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a risk
  • Pollution from nutrients and organic matter, as well as chemical inputs, may affect local water quality.
General Notes

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

References:

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, Tiger prawns (Farmed), Global, ASC

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, Tiger prawns (Farmed), Global, GAA BAP certification (4*)

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Giant tiger prawn

Species and Location

fishery flag

Giant tiger prawn

Penaeus monodon

Madagascar

Fishery countries:
Madagascar

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in an AIP

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Strict feed requirements are applied to organically certified giant tiger prawns.
  • Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a risk
  • Pollution from nutrients and organic matter, as well as chemical inputs, may affect local water quality. But chemical usage and effluent is limited in organic certified production.
General Notes

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

References:

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, Tiger prawns (Farmed), Global, Organic certification

Species and Location

fishery flag

Giant tiger prawn

Penaeus monodon

Vietnam

Fishery countries:
Vietnam

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Extensive production systems for giant tiger prawns do not use supplemental feed inputs.
  • Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a concern.
  • Pollution from nutrients and organic matter, as well as chemical inputs, may affect local water quality.
General Notes

The environmental impacts described are addressed to some degree by certification. Although organic certification is not formally regonised by the ODP, this product is from farms that hold certification to organic, ASC and BAP standards. Organically certified Giant Tiger Prawns are rated Best Choice 2 by Good Fish Guide.

References:

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, Tiger prawns (Farmed), Global, ASC

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, Tiger prawns (Farmed), Global, GAA BAP certification (2 and 3*)

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, Tiger prawns (Farmed), Global, GAA BAP certification (4*)

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, Tiger prawns (Farmed), Global, Organic certification

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Giant tiger prawn

Seafood Watch Report for farmed Giant Tiger prawn and Whiteleg shrimp, Vietnam ponds

Species and Location

fishery flag

Gilthead seabream

Sparus aurata

Greece

Fishery countries:
Greece

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Strict feed requirements are applied to organically certified sea bream. Bream 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.
  • 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 - Bream, Gilthead (Farmed)

Seafood Watch report for European Sea bass and Gilthead Seabream, Mediterranean Sea

Species and Location

fishery flag

Gilthead seabream

Sparus aurata

Greece

Fishery countries:
Greece

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Bream 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.
  • 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 - Bream, Gilthead (Farmed)

Seafood Watch report for European Sea bass and Gilthead Seabream, Mediterranean Sea

Species and Location

fishery flag

Gilthead seabream

Sparus aurata

Turkey

Fishery countries:
Turkey

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Bream 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.
  • 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 - Bream, Gilthead (Farmed), Europe, GlobalGAP certified

Good Fish Guide - Bream, Gilthead (Farmed), Europe, ASC certified

Seafood Watch report for European Sea bass and Gilthead Seabream, Mediterranean Sea

Species and Location

fishery flag

Golden redfish

Sebastes norvegicus

Iceland, Faroes and E Greenland

Fishery countries:
Iceland

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets
  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to seabirds, marine mammals, sharks and skates with this fishery.
  • Bycatch of cod is a risk for this fishery.
  • 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
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Great Atlantic scallop

Pecten maximus

East Coast England, East Coast Scotland, Orkney

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Dredge

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • Profile not yet complete.
General Notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

Great Atlantic scallop

Pecten maximus

Northern Ireland

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Dredge

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 4

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Profile not yet complete.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery.
  • Dredges will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

Great Atlantic scallop

Pecten maximus

NE Scotland, NW Scotland

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Dredge

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Needs Improvement

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to PET species with these fisheries.
  • Bycatch is a risk for these fisheries.
  • Dredges will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

Great Atlantic scallop

Pecten maximus

Shetland

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Dredge

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on PET species.
  • The fishery is unlikely to pose a serious risk to bycatch species.
  • Dredges will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

Acoura Marine, Juy 2018, MSC Public Certification Report for SSMO Shetland inshore brown & velvet crab and scallop fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag

Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Icelandic

Fishery countries:
Iceland

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets
  • Longlines

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • The impact depends on the gear type. Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Barents Sea

Fishery countries:
Russia

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

Lloyd's Register, September 2019, MSC 3rd Surveillance Report for Barents Sea cod, haddock and saithe fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag

Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Barents Sea

Fishery countries:
Norway

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets
  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • Gear specific information on interactions with PET species is limited, but an MSC condition is in place to address this.
  • MSC conditions are in place to assess the impact of the fishery on bycatch species.
  • The impact depends on the gear type. Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Northern shelf

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • There is bycatch for this fishery but management measures are in place to reduce impacts on retained species.
  • 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
  • As a mixed fishery, the effects of management measures on other species need to be considered within an ecosystem context.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Northern shelf

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • There is bycatch for this fishery but 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
  • As a mixed fishery, the effects of management measures on other species need to be considered within an ecosystem context.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Lemon sole

Microstomus kitt

Icelandic

Fishery countries:
Iceland

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Lemon sole is caught as bycatch in a multispecies fishery.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed but an MSC condition is in place to implement management measures for vulnerable marine habitats.
General Notes

References

Vottunarstofan Tún ehf., January 2019, MSC Public Certification Report for ISF Iceland Lemon Sole Fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag fishery flag

Lemon sole

Microstomus kitt

North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, and Eastern English Channel

Fishery countries:
Netherlands, United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • There is insufficient information available to assess risks to PET species in this fishery.
  • This fish is caught as a bycatch species in mixed fisheries.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

This fishery is part of the North Sea plaice & lemon sole, mixed gear FIP operating under Project UK.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Lyrate hard clam

Meretrix lyrata

Ben Tre, Vietnam

Fishery countries:
Vietnam

Production Methods

  • Miscellaneous

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have direct impacts on PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Mitre squid

Loligo chinensis

Indonesian waters

Fishery countries:
Indonesia

Production Methods

  • Midwater trawl
  • Handlines and pole-lines

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • Profile not yet complete.
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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Mitre squid

Loligo chinensis

Vietnam

Fishery countries:
Vietnam

Production Methods

  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • Profile not yet complete.
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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Monkfishes nei

Lophius spp.

Skagerrak, Kattegat, North Sea and West of Scotland

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Needs Improvement

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
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.
General Notes

References

Seafish Risk Assessment for Sourcing Seafood (RASS) - Anglerfish in North Sea, Skagerrak, West of Scotland and Rockall, Demersal otter trawl

Species and Location

fishery flag

Northern prawn

Pandalus borealis

Atlantic Canada: SFAs 1, 4-6, 8-12

Fishery countries:
Canada

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • Bycatch of threatened wolffishes occurs but is not thought 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.
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

Seafish Risk Assessment for Sourcing Seafood (RASS) - Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis), mutiple profiles.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Northern prawn

Pandalus borealis

Barents Sea

Fishery countries:
Estonia

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch in this fishery is considered low.
  • Bottom trawls will directly 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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Northern prawn

Pandalus borealis

Barents Sea

Fishery countries:
Norway

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • Seabirds and marine mammals are present in the fishery area, but no information on interactions was found.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • Bottom trawls will directly 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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Northern prawn

Pandalus borealis

Western Greenland

Fishery countries:
Greenland

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • Bottom trawls will directly 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.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Norway lobster

Nephrops norvegicus

Botney Gut- Silver Pit

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 4

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, management measures are in place.
General Notes

References

Fishery Progress - UK Norway lobster - bottom trawl and creel

Species and Location

fishery flag

Norway lobster

Nephrops norvegicus

South Minch

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Needs Improvement

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 4

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, management measures are in place.
General Notes

References

Fishery Progress - UK Norway lobster - bottom trawl and creel

Species and Location

fishery flag

Norway lobster

Nephrops norvegicus

Firth of Clyde, Irish Sea East, North Minch

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Needs Improvement

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

Fishery Progress - UK Norway lobster - bottom trawl and creel

Species and Location

fishery flag

Norway lobster

Nephrops norvegicus

Farn Deeps, Firth of Forth, Moray Firth, Noup

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, management measures are in place.
General Notes

References

Fishery Progress - UK Norway lobster - bottom trawl and creel

Species and Location

fishery flag

Norway lobster

Nephrops norvegicus

Fladen Ground

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery includes cod, haddock and whiting. Mitigation measures, including the use of more selective gears, have been implemented to reduce unwanted catch.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, management measures are in place.
General Notes

References

Fishery Progress - UK Norway lobster - bottom trawl and creel

Species and Location

fishery flag

Norway lobster

Nephrops norvegicus

Devil’s Hole

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 4

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • Profile not yet complete.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, management measures are in place.
General Notes

References

Fishery Progress - UK Norway lobster - bottom trawl and creel

Species and Location

fishery flag

Pacific cod

Gadus macrocephalus

Gulf of Alaska

Fishery countries:
United States

Production Methods

  • Longlines

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended

NOAA FSSI

3

NOAA FSSI

  • 0
  • 0.5
  • 1
  • 1.5
  • 2
  • 2.5
  • 3
  • 4
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to seabirds and marine mammals with this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • Concerns about low stock led to the closure of the Alaskan Pacific cod fishery for 2020 (after the reporting period).

Species and Location

fishery flag

Pacific oysters

Crassostrea gigas

United Kingdom

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • No feed inputs are used to support farmed oysters.
  • Pacific oysters are non-native to the UK and may compete with native oyster species.
  • There is no concern regarding pollution from nutrients or organic matter. No feed or chemical inputs are used to support farmed oysters.
General Notes

References:

Good Fish Guide - Oyster, Pacific, oysters

Seafood Watch report for farmed oysters, Worldwide

Species and Location

fishery flag

Patagonian scallop

Zygochlamys patagonica

Argentine

Fishery countries:
Argentina

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed. However, management measures are in place.
General Notes

References
Organizacion Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA), June 2017, Public Comment Draft Report for Patagonian Scallop Bottom Otter Trawl Fishery in Argentine Sea

Species and Location

fishery flag

Peruvian calico scallop

Argopecten purpuratus

Peru

Fishery countries:
Peru

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid
Environmental Notes
  • No feed inputs are used to support farmed scallops.
  • The larval phase of scallops may be transported away from farm sites. But, scallops are mostly farmed within their native range and pose little risk from escapes. Predator control methods used are low-impact and there is little risk of direct or accidental mortality of predators and other wildlife.
  • There is no concern regarding pollution from nutrients or organic matter as no feed or nutrient fertilization inputs are used to support farmed scallops.
General Notes

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

References:

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Peruvian Scallop

Species and Location

fishery flag

Pink salmon

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

Alaska

Fishery countries:
United States

Production Methods

  • Purse seine
  • Gillnets and entangling nets
  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • While encounters with marine mammals and birds have been documented in this fishery, the impact on PET 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, 2019, MSC 3rd Assessment Report Public Certification Report for the Alaska Salmon Fishery

SCS Global Services, 2017, MSC Fishery Assessment Report Annette Islands Reserve Salmon Fishery Public Certification Report

Species and Location

fishery flag

Pollack

Pollachius pollachius

Celtic Sea and West of Scotland

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Gillnets and entangling nets
  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • Some bycatch of marine mammals is known to occur in the long lining fishery.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Rainbow Trout, Steelhead Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

United Kingdom

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • Trout have a high requirement for fish in their diet.
  • Escapes are unlikely to have a significant impact on wild trout populations. Producers are permitted to use lethal control on predators.
  • Impacts on water quality depend on the farming method used. 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.

References

Good Fish Guide - Rainbow trout

Species and Location

fishery flag

Rainbow Trout, Steelhead Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

United Kingdom

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • Trout have a high requirement for fish in their diet.
  • Escapes are not a risk for trout farmed in ponds without recirculation.
  • Impacts on water quality from ponds without recirculation are fewer than for production using open net cages and ponds.
General Notes

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

References

Good Fish Guide - Rainbow trout

Species and Location

fishery flag

Red swamp crawfish

Procambarus clarkii

Chinese waters

Fishery countries:
China

Production Methods

  • Pots and traps

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • There is a lack of information on interactions with PET species in this fishery, but the introduced red swamp crawfish presents a risk to native crawfish species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is likely to be low.
  • This fishery takes place in natural freshwater systems and rice fields and is unlikely to have a significant impact on the benthic habitat.
General Notes
  • As an introduced species, the impacts of the fishery on native species and ecosystems need to be considered.

References

Fishery Progress, China crayfish - pot/trap

MRAG, 2016, Red swamp crayfish Pre-Assessment Report

Species and Location

fishery flag

Saithe

Pollachius virens

Barents Sea

Fishery countries:
Norway

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Saithe

Pollachius virens

Icelandic waters

Fishery countries:
Iceland

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • The impact depends on the gear type. Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Saithe

Pollachius virens

North Sea, Skagerrak, west of Scotland and the Rockall

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • While bycatch of marine mammals may occur in this fishery it is considered rare.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Saithe

Pollachius virens

North Sea, Skagerrak, west of Scotland and the Rockall

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Shallow-water cape hake

Merluccius capensis

South Africa

Fishery countries:
South Africa

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • Previous concerns over interactions with seabirds have been mitigated using bird scaring lines and a reduction in fishing effort. However, information on seabird bycatch mortality is still limited.
  • There is bycatch for this fishery but there is a strategy in place for managing retained species. The discard rate for the fishery is very low and the fishery is unlikely to hinder the recovery of discarded species.
  • 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
Intertek, 2015, MSC Public Certification Report for South Africa Hake Trawl Fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag

Skipjack tuna

Katsuwonus pelamis

Indian Ocean

Fishery countries:
Maldives

Production Methods

  • Handlines and pole-lines

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Good Alternative

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 1

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Sockeye salmon

Oncorhynchus nerka

Alaska

Fishery countries:
United States

Production Methods

  • Purse seine
  • Gillnets and entangling nets
  • Hook and line

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • 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, 2019, MSC 3rd Assessment Report Public Certification Report for the Alaska Salmon Fishery

Species and Location

fishery flag

Spotted ray

Raja montagui

English and Bristol Channels, Celtic Sea

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 4

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Profile not yet complete.
  • Profile not yet complete.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

This fishery relates to multiple ratings from the Marine Conservation Society's Good Fish Guide: the Guide categorises the Bristol Channel fishery as "Rating 3 (yellow)", and the Southern Celtic Seas and Eastern English Channel fisheries as "Rating 4 (orange)".

Species and Location

fishery flag

Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Indian Ocean

Fishery countries:
Sri Lanka

Production Methods

  • Longlines

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Needs Improvement

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to seabirds and sea turtles with this fishery, but there are mitigation measures in place.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

Thornback ray

Raja clavata

Irish and Celtic Seas

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 4

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Occasional interactions with PET species may occur with this fishery.
  • This species is mainly caught as bycatch in this fishery. Bycatch of other species may also occur.
  • Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

MCS's Good Fish Guide - Ray, thornback ray, Roker, Irish and Celtic Seas

Species and Location

fishery flag

Turbot

Scophthalmus maximus

North Sea

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Gillnets and entangling nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to sharks, skates and rays with this fishery. Occasional interactions with marine mammals occur.
  • 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 - Turbot (Caught at sea), North Sea, demersal otter trawl

Good Fish Guide - Turbot (Caught at sea), North Sea, gill or fixed net

Species and Location

fishery flag

Wellington flying squid

Nototodarus sloanii

East and West NZ, NZ Southern Islands

Fishery countries:
New Zealand

Production Methods

  • Midwater trawl
  • Bottom trawl

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

Sustainability not rated

Environmental Notes
  • The fishery interacts with marine mammals and seabirds but there are management measures in place.
  • Information on bycatch is limited.
  • Bottom trawls will directly 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

OpenSeas New Zealand, May 2019, Arrow squid

Species and Location

fishery flag

Whiteleg shrimp

Penaeus vannamei

Ecuador

Fishery countries:
Ecuador

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used, but these inputs come from IFFO RS approved sources.
  • Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a concern but infrequent water exchange on whiteleg shrimp farms moderates the risk. Information on escapes is limited. Shrimp farmed in Ecuador are raised from hatchery-raised native broodstock, therefore lowering the risk to wild shrimp populations if interbreeding does occur, however, interbreeding may still result in reduced genetic fitness.
  • 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.

The government has adopted a farm-based approach to aquaculture regulations and licensing.

References:

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, King (whiteleg), prawns, GAA BAP certification (4*)

Good Fish Guide - Prawns, King (whiteleg), prawns, ASC

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Whiteleg shrimp

FishSource - Shrimp, Ecuador

Seafood Watch report for farmed shrimp, Ecuador

Species and Location

fishery flag

Whiteleg shrimp

Penaeus vannamei

Ecuador

Fishery countries:
Ecuador

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in an AIP

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid
Environmental Notes
  • Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used. Organic feed is used in production.
  • Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a concern but infrequent water exchange on whiteleg shrimp farms moderates the risk. Information on escapes is limited. Shrimp farmed in Ecuador are raised from hatchery-raised native broodstock, therefore lowering the risk to wild shrimp populations if interbreeding does occur, however, interbreeding may still result in reduced genetic fitness.
  • 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 organic certification.

The government has adopted a farm-based approach to aquaculture regulations and licensing.

References:

Good Fish Guide - Prawns, King (whiteleg), prawns, Ecuador, Honduras

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Whiteleg shrimp

Seafood Watch report for farmed shrimp, Ecuador

Species and Location

fishery flag

Whiteleg shrimp

Penaeus vannamei

Honduras

Fishery countries:
Honduras

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • The use of wild fish in Honduran shrimp feed inputs is low. Inputs come from IFFO RS approved sources.
  • Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a concern and is exacerbated by the practice of frequent water exchanges. 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.
  • 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. 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:

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, King (whiteleg), prawns, GAA BAP certification (4*)

Good Fish Guide - Prawns, King (whiteleg), prawns, ASC

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Whiteleg shrimp

Seafood Watch report for farmed shrimp, Honduras

Species and Location

fishery flag

Whiteleg shrimp

Penaeus vannamei

Indonesia

Fishery countries:
Indonesia

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used. Inputs come from IFFO RS approved sources.
  • Disease transfer between farmed and wild prawns is a concern. Whiteleg shrimp are not native to Indonesia and there is potential for ecological impacts from escapes.
  • Pollution from nutrients and organic matter, as well as chemical inputs, may affect local water quality and cumulative impacts across a region may occur.
General Notes

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

Legislation on zonal planning that is relevant to aquaculture does exist. A zonal approach to aquaculture is being introduced via an Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP) in Muncar, Banyuwangi district, East Java.

References:

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, King (whiteleg), prawns, Global, ASC

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, King (whiteleg), prawns, Global, GAA BAP certification (4*)

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Whiteleg shrimp, Farmed

Species and Location

fishery flag

Whiteleg shrimp

Penaeus vannamei

Nicaragua

Fishery countries:
Nicaragua

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Most shrimp culture in Nicaragua relies on inputs of fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources. Inputs come from IFFO RS approved sources.
  • 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 - Prawn, King (whiteleg), prawns, GAA BAP certification (4*)

Good Fish Guide - Prawns, King (whiteleg), prawns, ASC

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Whiteleg shrimp

Seafood Watch report for farmed shrimp, Nicaragua

Species and Location

fishery flag

Whiteleg shrimp

Penaeus vannamei

Thailand

Fishery countries:
Thailand

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Fishmeal and fish oil from marine feed sources are used. At least 50% of the feed used in certified production is required to be responsibly or sustainably sourced.
  • 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.
  • 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.
General Notes

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

Public information on zonal approaches to planning and production of shrimp farming in Thailand is limited.

References:

FishSource - Shrimp, Thailand

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, King (whiteleg), prawns, Global, GAA BAP 4*

Seafood Watch Recommended Eco-Certifications for Whiteleg shrimp

Species and Location

fishery flag

Whiteleg shrimp

Penaeus vannamei

Vietnam

Fishery countries:
Vietnam

Production Methods

  • Farmed

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5
Environmental Notes
  • Fishmeal and fishoil from marine feed sources are used. Inputs come from IFFO RS approved sources.
  • 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 escapes.
  • 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, moderating the impact of effluents on water quality. There is a lack of data on the quantity of chemical inputs, but evidence suggests that illegal antibiotics are sometimes used on Vietnamese shrimp farms.
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:

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, King (whiteleg), prawns, Global, ASC

Good Fish Guide - Prawn, King (whiteleg), prawns, Global, GAA BAP (4*)

FishSource - Shrimp, Vietnam

Species and Location

fishery flag

Whiting

Merlangius merlangus

North Sea and Eastern English Channel

Fishery countries:
United Kingdom

Production Methods

  • Bottom trawl
  • Seine nets

Certification or Improvement Project

Certified

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Well Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Eco-Certification Recommended

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on PET species.
  • Bycatch is a risk in this fishery, but there is insufficient data available to assess significance.
  • Benthic impacts vary by gear type. Bottom trawls will directly impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

References

ME Certification, July 2018, MSC Expedited Assessment Public Certification Report for SFSAG North Sea haddock

Species and Location

fishery flag

Yellowfin tuna

Thunnus albacares

Indian Ocean

Fishery countries:
Maldives

Production Methods

  • Handlines and pole-lines

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Needs Improvement

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Think 4

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact PET species.
  • Bycatch for this fishery is considered low.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.

Species and Location

fishery flag

Yellowfin tuna

Thunnus albacares

Indian Ocean

Fishery countries:
Sri Lanka

Production Methods

  • Longlines

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Needs Improvement

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Avoid

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Improver 5

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • There are risks to seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals with this fishery.
  • Bycatch is a risk for this fishery.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • This fishery is covered by the Sri Lanka tuna and swordfish - longline FIP.
  • Good Fish Guide has assigned this fishery a 'Red improver' rating to show that credible efforts to improve the issues in the fishery are underway. MCS does not recommend avoiding these sources, as they normally do for seafood rated 5 (red rated).

Species and Location

fishery flag

Yellowfin tuna

Thunnus albacares

Western and Central Pacific Ocean - WCPFC

Fishery countries:
Indonesia

Production Methods

  • Handlines and pole-lines

Certification or Improvement Project

FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Seafood Watch

Best Choice

Seafood Watch

  • Eco-Certification Recommended
  • Best Choice
  • Good Alternative
  • Avoid

Good Fish Guide

Best Choice 2

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • This fishery is unlikely to impact protected, endangered and threatened (PET) species.
  • Bycatch is considered low for this fishery.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes

Species and Location

fishery flag

Yellowfin tuna

Thunnus albacares

Western and Central Pacific Ocean

Fishery countries:
South Korea

Production Methods

  • Longlines

Certification or Improvement Project

Not certified or in a FIP

Sustainability Ratings

FishSource

Managed

FishSource

  • Well Managed
  • Managed
  • Needs Improvement

Good Fish Guide

Think 3

Good Fish Guide

  • Best Choice 1
  • Best Choice 2
  • Think 3
  • Think 4
  • Improver 5
  • Avoid 5

Ocean Wise

Not recommended

Ocean Wise

  • Recommended
  • Not recommended
Environmental Notes
  • Information on interactions with sea turtles and sea birds in the Korean fishery is limited.
  • Bycatch for this fishery includes billfish and other tuna species.
  • This fishery is unlikely to have a significant impact on the sea bed.
General Notes
  • No additional notes.