PACIFIC NORTHWEST
SEAFOOD
SUSTAINABILITY
WILD, SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY, DELICIOUS
What is Sustainable Seafood?
Sustainability is the idea that something can be carried on into the future; that we humans can coexist with our resources. This has never been more true than for the U.S. Pacific Northwest fisheries producing sustainable seafood - the most environmentally efficient source of protein on the planet. Well-managed wild fisheries are essential to providing sustainable supplies of seafood now and for future generations both locally and abroad.
The PNW Species
Sustainability Story
What makes PNW fisheries well positioned for long-term success and sustainability?
1. A region with exceptional marine productivity
The highly productive ecosystem known as the California Current Ecosystem, spans from the southern California coast to the Canadian border. This region of exceptional marine productivity is one of the four Eastern Boundary Upwelling systems that exist globally. Characterized by seasonal upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water fuels populations of krill, squid, sardines, and other species that are fed upon by larger fishes, seabirds, and marine mammals. These four marine regions account for only 1% of the global ocean area, but are responsible for 20% of global commercial seafood harvests.
2. Rigorous legal framework
In the United States, wild fisheries are managed under a legal framework comprised of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. All together make up a strictly enforced system of environmentally responsible practices that support long-term conservation objectives.
3. Collaboration and effective management
In the United States, fisheries are either managed at the state level by state Department of Fish & Wildlife or at the federal level by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and regional fishery management councils.
The Pacific region of the US is known for a highly effective management system in place for managing wild fisheries. Management decisions are based on principles of the best available science and a transparent collaborative stakeholder-driven approach.
The effectiveness of the fisheries management and the progress in conservation efforts on the Pacific coast are attributed to factors including the long-term collaboration among various groups of stakeholders, including the fishing industry, Native tribes, state and federal regulatory agencies, environmental groups, researchers and academia.
This is in large part what makes the US Pacific coast the home to some of the best examples of well-managed fisheries in the world. This environmental stewardship helps us all ensure our fisheries, our ocean, and its bounty remain a viable source of healthy protein, an economic driver supporting our coastal economies and a central theme in the cultural identity of the Oregon coastal fishing towns for generations to come.
Certification
Seafood sustainability certifications help to easily determine whether or not a fishery is managed sustainably into the future. One of the most well-known international sustainability standards for seafood is the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
Once a fishery has met the rigorous sustainability requirements of the MSC, it receives the certification for its products. This means the fishery has volunteered to go through a 5 year-long certification process which includes an assessment of fishing practices, environmental impacts, and management procedures. Once the fishery has been officially certified, it triggers a new 5-year cycle with annual surveillance audits intended to monitor the performance of the fishery and a subsequent recertification every 5 years.
Let's dive into the clear, cold waters of the Pacifc Northwest to learn more about the versatile and flavorful species it has to offer.
In 2007, the Oregon pink shrimp (Pandalus jordani) became the first shrimp fishery in the world to achieve the MSC certification. In 2013 the Washington pink shrimp fishery became certified and together the fisheries are currently going through a recertification process. The Oregon component is entering its third reassessment, Washington is entering its second reassessment, and the California pink shrimp fishery is entering its first assessment. Managed by individual states, these three fisheries comprise the pink shrimp fishery located in the US West Coast Pacific waters, from the southern Canadian border to the northern Mexican border.
Off the coast of Oregon in the western United States, 80-90 vessels are covered under the existing MSC fishery certification. The primary fishing method is otter trawling, which derives its name from the trawl doors (or otter boards) which are used to keep the mouth of the net open. Bycatch reduction devices are mandatory to minimize the unintended catch of non-target species. One method is the use of LED lights to reduce bycatch of protected Eulachon. Nearly all of the fleet had already implemented the LED light technology before it officially became a regulatory requirement. The use of LED lights has shown an astonishing 90% reduction in bycatch of protected Eulachon, 78% reduction of juvenile rockfish, and 69% reduction of juvenile flatfish, while having no significant impact on shrimp catch.
Certification History
During the shrimp fishery’s first 5-year certification period, considerable improvements were made; specifically, the introduction of observer coverage, harvest control rules, and electronic reporting. Introducing comprehensive logbooks for recording total catch and discards has provided better data (and more of it) for more accurate stock assessment.
Market Information
The shrimp are sold primarily in US west coast retail and food service markets in a cook and peeled product form. During seasons of high abundance and/or depending on market conditions, a significant amount of shrimp can be exported to European markets.
MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL FACT SHEET
US West Coast Pink Shrimp
CERTIFIED
since 2007
LOCATION
Washington, Oregon and California (in assessment)
FISHING METHODS
Otter Trawl
TONAGES
25,673 metric tons in 2020
FLEET CERTIFIED
Vessel permitted by the State of Oregon and Washington fishing in the coastal waters of WA/OR/CA
SPECIES
Pink Shrimp (Pandalus jordani)
SEASONAL AVAILABILITY
April - October
FOOD ATTRIBUTES
Pink shrimp is an affordable cold water shrimp with a sweet, clean flavor. This smaller shrimp is great for shrimp cocktails or salads.
Market Share & Profile
Often referred to as bay or salad shrimp, Oregon pink shrimp are small, usually ranging in size from about 100 to 160 whole shrimp per pound. The shrimp are typically cooked and peeled, sold fresh to local markets during the season or individually quick frozen for distribution to retailer and food service customers. The majority of US West Coast pink shrimp is destined for Europe, though a portion stays locally in the US.
TOP 4 BRANDS
with MSC Certified US West Coast Pink Shrimp Products
1
IKEA
Sweden
2
Superunie
Netherlands
3
Coop CH
Switzerland
4
MIGROS
Switzerland
MSC Turnover of West Coast Shrimp
by Product Category
Millions
Fish Counter
Frozen Prepared
Chilled Plain
Preserved
Retail Food-To-Go
Frozen Plain
Chilled Prepared
Foodservice
MSC Turnover of
West Coast Shrimp by Country
Millions
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
Netherlands
<Multiple>
Germany
Denmark
China
Norway
MSC Product Sales of
Chilled Plain Oregon Shrimp
Millions
Netherlands
Sweden
United States
Denmark
MSC Product Sales of
Frozen Prepared Oregon Shrimp
Millions
France
Denmark
Canada
MSC Product Sales of
Preserved Oregon Shrimp
(including canned & dried)
United States
Denmark
Millions
MSC Product Sales of
Chilled Prepared Oregon Shrimp
Millions
Switzerland
Netherlands
Sweden
Denmark
Millions
Canada
United Kingdom
Denmark
Sweden
China
United States
MSC Product Sales of
Frozen Plain Oregon Shrimp
MSC Product Sales of
Retail Food-To-Go Oregon Shrimp
Millions
United Kingdom
Located in US West Coast Pacific waters from the southern Canadian border to the northern Mexican border, this fishery was certified as sustainable in 2014. It comprises 17 different fisheries (out of the 90 species of groundfish in the region), using a variety of otter trawl configurations depending on the species targeted.
Certification History
In 2006, 150,000 square miles of the Pacific were officially closed to all trawl fishing while fishers, scientists, and conservationists worked on refining a long-term fishing plan, restricting some deep waters and designating others as essential fish habitat. And to the surprise of everyone, it worked. Fish numbers rebounded 50 years faster than anyone predicted. Bycatch fell by 80%; in 2014, 13 previously overfished species were certified as sustainable by the MSC, and added five more species just a few years later.
Trawl fishing was once again opened in 2020, with some conditions to help groundfish populations continue making their comeback. NOAA designated federal Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs), Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), and habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC), restricting or prohibiting trawling in specific areas to protect habitat for rockfish and other groundfish species. On the Oregon coast alone, this includes 18 different groundfish conservation areas. Through these collaborative efforts, we can ensure that groundfish can be sustainably harvested for generations to come.
Market Information
West Coast groundfish compete in both the fresh and frozen fish product markets, on a global scale not only with similar species produced in other regions of the world but with other fish species such as salmon and tuna. In 2006, Japan was the largest destination for exported fish products, taking 19% of exports. Close behind Japan, China and Canada were the largest export destinations at 15% and 10%, respectively.
MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL FACT SHEET
West Coast Limited Entry Groundfish Trawl
CERTIFIED
since 2014
LOCATION
Washington, Oregon and California (in assessment)
FISHING METHODS
Bottom Trawl; otter trawl
TONAGES
23,418 metric tons in 2020
FLEET CERTIFIED
167 permits are available, 90 in use. 10 treaty tribal vessels.
SPECIES
Pacific cod, dover sole, English sole, shortspine thornyhead, longspine thornyhead, chilipepper/ splitnose/ bocaccio/ widow/ canary yellowtail/ darkblotched rockfish, pacific ocean perch, longnose skate, petrale sole, lingcod, sablefish, arrow-tooth flounder
SEASONAL AVAILABILITY
Year round
FOOD ATTRIBUTES
Rockfish are high in protein (82%) and low in fat. The clean, sweet taste of this fish is versatile and accommodates different preparation methods.
Market Share & Profile
The US remains the main market for MSC certified West Coast groundfish species, however, there has been an increase in the Asian market over the past 4 years. In addition, there is some growth in the last year from Europe, most notably DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Spain, Portugal, and Scandinavia are emerging markets for the fishery.
TOP 5 BRANDS
with MSC Certified US West Coast Ground Fish
1
Eunha
South Korea
2
ALDI
United States
3
Whole Foods Market
United States
4
Walmart
United States
5
Fishin' Co.
United States
MSC Turnover of US West Coast Groundfish by Product Category
Millions
Frozen Plain
Frozen Plain
Fish Counter
Frozen Prepared
Chilled Plain
MSC Turnover of US West Coast Groundfish by Country
United States
Millions
South Korea
China
US & Canada
Hong Kong
Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) is also known commercially as Pacific whiting. The species is migratory and inhabits waters from Baja California, Mexico up to Southeast Alaska. The Pacific hake mid-water trawl fishery operates off the west coast of the United States and Canada.
The coastal stock of Pacific hake spawns from December through March, peaking in late January. During the summer, Pacific hake form extensive mid-water aggregations near the continental shelf break, with highest densities located over bottom depths of 200 – 300 m.
Certification History
The fishery became MSC certified as sustainable in 2009. It was recertified in November 2014. It also has a Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification which is a third-party program for wild-capture fisheries that stemmed from a partnership between ASMI and the Alaska seafood industry.
The management of the fishery is shared via an international agreement between the governments of Canada and the United States. A joint management committee recommends the annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC), while the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the U.S. and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in Canada are responsible for domestic management of their country’s fisheries.
The United States At-Sea Hake Observer Program has 100% independent observer or electronic monitoring systems in place. The shoreside sector is also required to have full observer coverage.
Market Information
The primary commercial markets for Pacific hake are Europe, Asia and North America. It is used in producing a variety of products including surimi and frozen filet, dressed and whole fish block markets.
MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL FACT SHEET
Pacific Hake Mid-Water Trawl
CERTIFIED
MSC since 2010
& RFM 2022
LOCATION
Washington, Oregon and California (in assessment)
FISHING METHODS
Midwater Trawl
TONAGES
287,909 metric tons in 2020
FLEET CERTIFIED
The client group for the United States includes all fishermen and companies authorized to fish for and sell Pacific hake, with the exception of US fishermen with authorization to fish with demersal trawls.
SPECIES
North Pacific hake (Merluccious productus)
SEASONAL AVAILABILITY
Year round, focus from US vessels Fall through Summer then exchange fishing for Walleye Pollock in Alaska
FOOD ATTRIBUTES
Hake has a mild and slightly sweet flavor. It is used in producing a variety of products including surimi and frozen fillet, dressed and whole fish block markets.
Market Share & Profile
The primary commercial markets for Pacific hake are Europe, Asia and North America. It is used in producing a variety of products including surimi and frozen fillet, dressed and whole fish block markets. The majority of US hake is destined for Europe. New markets for hake include pet food, which is an emerging sector.
TOP 5 BRANDS
with MSC Certified US West Coast Pacific Hake/Whiting
1
Findus
France
2
Asda
United Kingdom
3
NOWACO
Central Europe Coop
4
Nestle Purina
United States & Canada
5
LIDL
United States
MSC Turnover of Pacific Hake by Product Category
Frozen …
Metric Tons
Frozen Plain
Surimi
Pet Food
Chilled Plain
Chilled …
MSC Turnover of Pacific Hake by Country
Italy
Metric Tons
Central…
Portugal
France
Hungary
MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
