- Certifier :
- Global Trust Certification Ltd.
- Certified status :
- Certified
- Certified since :
- 22 May 2017
- Certificate expires :
- 22 Nov 2027
Overview
Fisheries are composed of one or more parts, each of which is entitled to receive an MSC certificate. These parts or “units” are defined by their target stock(s), fishing gear type(s) and if relevant vessel type(s), and the fishing fleets or groups of vessels.
When the term “Unit of Certification” is used for fishing units that are in assessment, it refers to the “Unit of Assessment” or “Unit of potential certification”. Expand a status below to view the parts that form this fishery. To check the detailed scope, download the latest certificate or open the Assessments page to get the latest report. Find out more by visiting our page on Fisheries
Catch by Species
| Species | Reported Catch Year | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|---|
| Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus) | 2023 | 113 |
Information is provided by an independent Conformity Assessment Body as live weight (the weight of species at the time of catch, before processing) and where a fishing season covers multiple years, the end year is given as the reported catch year. Additional information is available in the latest report, see the assessments page.
Eligibility, client groups and vessel lists
A fishery may choose to define the members of the fishery certificate. These members can be vessels or other client group members (e.g. companies that own vessels and/or companies that are named as eligible to handle certified product covered within the fishery certificate scope). Please refer to the fishery certificate statement on additional product specific eligibility criteria (e.g. product eligibility limitations, eligibility date, exclusive points of landing and the point where Chain of Custody certificate is required). Please consult the fishery Public Certification Report for product eligibility rationale.
| Documents | Published on | Files |
|---|---|---|
| List of client group members | 14 Dec 2018 | 1 files |
About this Fishery
This fishery straddles Canadian and international waters on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, in NAFO Division 3LN. It targets two similar species, the Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus) and deep-sea (‘beaked’) redfish (Sebastes mentella); known commercially as ocean perch.
Acadian redfish are found in deep basins and along the edge of the continental shelf, while beaked redfish inhabit deeper water off the continental shelf and in the Laurentian Channel. Redfish are slow-growing and long-lived, taking 8-10 years to reach a commercial size of 25cm. They are ovoviviparous, and the young are born live.
Redfish are bottom-dwelling and semi-pelagic, rising off the bottom at night to feed on pelagic crustaceans and other fish. They are primarily harvested with bottom otter trawls with small mesh cod-ends, although some mid-water trawls are also used. Fishing takes place year-round.
The fishery is managed by NAFO, which sets an overall TAC and individual quotas. Other conservation measures include gear specifications, restrictions on areas and times of fishing, coral protection zones and by-catch reduction.
Market Information
The catch is mostly frozen at sea and sold whole, headed and gutted, to Asian markets including Japan, China and Korea.