- Certifier :
- DNV
- Certified status :
- Certified
- Certified since :
- 23 Feb 2018
- Certificate expires :
- 23 Dec 2028
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
Engage with a Fishery Assessment
The following documents are open for stakeholder comment.
| Documents | Closes on | Files |
|---|---|---|
| Surveillance audit announcement | 03 Jan 2025 | 1 files |
As a stakeholder you are an essential source of information needed to conduct a meaningful assessment. To engage with a fishery assessment please register at the start of the process.
Catch by Species
| Species | Reported Catch Year | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|---|
| European sprat (Sprattus sprattus) | 2021 | 1,109 |
| Lesser sand-eel (Ammodytes marinus) | 2021 | 146,442 |
| Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) | 2020 | 63,777 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel List | 20 Dec 2022 | 1 files |
About this Fishery
The Norwegian fishery for North Sea sprat mainly uses trawls and, to much lesser extent, purse seine nets. Sprat fishing in the North Sea is dominated by a Danish fleet.
Denmark and Norway are the dominant players catching sandeel. The fishery is now very limited in the Norwegian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is regulated by a total allowable catch (TAC).
Fishing for pout is conducted with fine mesh trawls in deep water along the Norwegian Trench towards Fladen. The landings had a peak in 1974 at 740,000 metric tons (MT) but the fishery has been strictly regulated since then with large area closures and bycatch limitations. In 2010 mandatory sorting grids were introduced to further limit bycatch.
Market Information
The main products are fish meal and fish oil, feeding into global markets. The aquaculture industry is a major recipient.