Initial Audit Report

CAR Initial

Initial Audit Report

Initial Audit Report

European hake – Long line – FAO 27

Species: Merluccius merluccius
Gear type: Long line
Fishing Area: FAO Area 27 Atlantic North East – in subareas 4, 6, and 7 and divisions 3.a, 8.a–b, and 8.d. Northern stock (Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas, and the northern Bay of Biscay)

Fishery management: The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO Statistical Area 27). NEAFC takes advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the intergovernmental organisation conducting research on marine resources in the North Atlantic.

Stock status: According to ICES (2016), the stock of European hake in subareas 4, 6, and 7 and divisions 3.a, 8.a–b, and 8.d is at full reproductive capacity and is harvested sustainably (based on data from 2015).

Habitat impact: The fleet uses long lines set at a minimum distance of 10 meters from the sea bottom, without interacting with the seabed and the benthic communities.

Bycatch: Fishing activities take place at night to minimise the risk of the interaction with seabirds. Moreover, the fleet is equipped with tori lines to reduce the accidental bycatch of seabirds when fishing during the day. Long lines carry additional weights for the same purpose.

Initial Audit Report

Surveillance Audit Report

USA – Atlantic menhaden – Purse seine – FAO 21

Species: Brevoortia tyrannus (Atlantic menhaden)
Gear type: Purse seine
Fishing Area: FAO Area 21, Northwest Atlantic

Fishery management: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is the competent fishery management organisation.

ASMFC conducts two types of stock assessments: a benchmark stock assessment and a stock assessment update. The former is a full analysis and review of the stock condition, focusing on the consideration of new data sources and newer assessment models. This assessment is conducted every three to five years and undergoes a formal peer review by a panel of independent fisheries scientists who evaluate whether the data and methods used to produce the assessment are scientifically sound and appropriate for management use. The latter incorporates data from the most recent years into the peer-reviewed assessment model to determine current stock status (abundance and overfishing level).

Stock status: Based on the revised reference points recommended by the 2015 benchmark stock assessment, the stock of Atlantic menhaden is neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing. The revised reference points are based on historical performance of the population during the time frame 1960-2012, a period during which the Technical Committee considers the population to have been sustainably fished.

Fishing mortality rates have remained below the revised overfishing threshold (1.26) since the 1960s, and have hovered around the revised overfishing target (0.38) through the 1990s. In 2003, fishing mortality was estimated to be 0.22. Fishing mortality has been decreasing throughout the history of the fishery, and is now 42% below the target.

Habitat impact: The fleet uses purse seine, which is set in the water column, with only occasional interaction with the seabed and hence low impact on the benthic communities.

Bycatch and discards: The fishery maintains records of bycatch and discards. The fishing gear used is highly selective and an excluder device is used to exclude large animals from the tube used to pump fish on board the vessel.

Source:

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) http://www.asmfc.org/

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

Australia – Long line – Mustelus antarcticus – FAO 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)

Fishery client: Ferguson Australia Proprietary Ltd.
Website: www.fergusonaustralia.com
Fishing area: FAO 57, Southern Australia Waters.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 60 vessels used in the fishing of several species.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: M341-1; Explorer S; M342; N070; N004; N040; M184; M368; M404.
Fishing method: Long line.
Certified species: Scientific name: Mustelus antarcticus;
Common name: Gummy shark.

Management summary
The Australian Fish Monitoring Authority (AFMA) and Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) monitor the fisheries in the Southern Australia Waters. The Gummy Shark fishery is managed by a Total allowable catch (TAC) based on scientific information, stock assessments and catch change per unit of effort (CPUE). The TAC is set with a harvest strategy specifically designed to keep the fishery operating at a level consistent with the Maximum Sustainable Yield. In addition, there is a minimum capture size of 45 cm to be respected.

Stock status summary
According to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation’s Status of Key Australian Fish stocks 2014, the stock of Gummy shark in the Southern Australia Waters is not considered overexploited. Thus, the fishery is considered sustainable.

Bycatch / discards
Long line is a highly selective fishing gear. Thus, bycatch is low. This can include at least one IUCN species considered vulnerable, the School shark (Galeorhinus galeus). Nonetheless, as most of the vessels that catch Gummy sharks fish in shallow waters, interaction with school sharks is very rare. Accidental catches are usually returned alive and relatively unharmed. All bycatch that is not discarded is recorded for each trip in the sales invoices. However, in the case of non-landed bycatches, nothing is recorded because it is not a legal requirement.

Habitat Impact
There are newly created marine parks and these are all controlled by the state. In order to control illegal fishing, vessels are monitored via Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). Gummy shark are caught with longline or drop lines, which are passive gears or have no negative interaction with the seabed.

Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and Australian regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any major non-conformities for Gummy shark fishery.

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

Australia – Trap – Nelusetta ayraud – FAO 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)

Fishery client: Ferguson Australia Proprietary Ltd.
Website: www.fergusonaustralia.com
Fishing area: FAO 57, Southern Australia Waters.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 60 vessels used in the fishing of several species.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: M341-1; Explorer S; M342; N070; N004; N040; M184; M368; M404.
Fishing method: Trap.
Certified species: Scientific name: Nelusetta ayraud;
Common name: Ocean jacket.

Management summary
The Australian Fish Monitoring Authority (AFMA) and Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) monitor the fisheries in the Southern Australia Waters. Ocean jackets are managed through the monitoring of catch and discard rates, since it is a bycatch fishery. Therefore, fishing effort is low and the stock is sustainable. Still, fishing is likely to be done at a level that would be considered preventive. There is no minimum capture size to be respected.

Stock status summary
According to the Australian Fish Fisheries Management Authority, the stock of Ocean jacket in the Southern Australia Waters is not considered overexploited. Thus, the fishery is considered sustainable.

Bycatch / discards
The species audited is from a bycatch fishery. Therefore, the species is landed and commercialized. All captured Ocean jackets are recorded in the sales invoices.

Habitat Impact
There are newly created marine parks and these are all controlled by the state. In order to control illegal fishing, vessels are monitored via Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). Ocean jackets are caught with trap, which is a passive gear or have no negative interaction with the seabed.

Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and Australian regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any major non-conformities for Ocean jacket fishery.

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

Australia – Dabnets – Hyporhamphus melanochir – FAO 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)

Fishery client: Ferguson Australia Proprietary Ltd.
Website: www.fergusonaustralia.com
Fishing area: FAO 57, Southern Australia Waters.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 60 vessels used in the fishing of several species.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: M341-1; Explorer S; M342; N070; N004; N040; M184; M368; M404.
Fishing method: Dabnets.
Certified species: Scientific name: Hyporhamphus melanochir;
Common name: Southern Garfish.

Management summary
The Australian Fish Monitoring Authority (AFMA) and Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) monitor the fisheries in the Southern Australia Waters. Southern Garfish fishery is not managed by Total allowable catches (TACs). Nonetheless, other measures are in place to reduce exploitation from 69 to ≤ 30% by 2020. These measures includes temporal area closures to protect stock in critical times, increase in the minimum capture size (25 cm), and an increase in the minimum mesh size from 30 to 32 mm.

Stock status summary
According to the Fishery Assessment Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture from 2016, the stock of Southern Garfish in the region is quite variable among the collection points. In the South East and West Coast, data is limited. In the Northern Spencer Gulf, stock status is defined as transitional recovery. In the Southern Spencer Gulf and Southern Gulf St. Vincent, stock status is defined as sustainable. On the other hand, in the Northern Gulf St. Vincent, the stock status is defined as overfished.

Bycatch / discards
Garfish are caught with Dabnets (a type of hand net). There is a limit of 1 meter in diameter for these nets. However, smaller nets are generally used so that fishermen can be more selective. The minimum mesh size is 32 mm for standard knot and 34 mm for knotless. Bycatch is low, but non-landed species are not recorded because it is not a legal requirement.

Habitat Impact
There are newly created marine parks and these are all controlled by the state. In order to control illegal fishing, vessels are monitored via Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). Garfish are caught with Dabnets, which is a passive gear or have no negative interaction with the seabed.

Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and Australian regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
Concerns related to the stock status of Southern Garfish originated restrictions for certification. Ferguson Australia can use the logo of Friend of the Sea only for Southern Garfish fished in the Northern Spencer Gulf, Southern Spencer Gulf, Southern Gulf St. Vincent, South East and West Coast. The company is not allowed to use the logo for catches made in the Northern Gulf St. Vincent.

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

Australia – Hand line – Sillaginoides punctatus – FAO 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)

Fishery client: Ferguson Australia Proprietary Ltd.
Website: www.fergusonaustralia.com
Fishing area: FAO 57, Southern Australia Waters.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 60 vessels used in the fishing of several species

Vessels udited on site as fleet samples: M341-1; Explorer S; M342; N070; N004; N040; M184; M368; M404.
Fishing method: Hand line.
Certified species: Scientific name: Sillaginoides punctatus;
Common name: King George whiting.

Management summary
The Australian Fish Monitoring Authority (AFMA) and Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) monitor the fisheries in the Southern Australia Waters. King George whiting fishery is not managed by Total allowable catches (TACs). Nonetheless, other measures are in place to manage the fishery such as: reduced numbers of fishing licenses; limit of 2 lines per fisherman with a maximum of three hooks per line; minimum catch size of 32 cm; and area closures.

Stock status summary
According to the Fishery Assessment Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture from 2014, the stock of King George whiting in the West Coast is not considered overexploited. Thus, the fishery in the West Coast is considered sustainable. On the other hand, in the Spencer Gulf and Gulf St. Vincent/Kangaroo Island, the stock status is defined as transitional declining. Thus, in these fishing areas, stock levels are considered outside the Maximum Sustainable Yield.

Bycatch / discards
Hand line is a highly selective fishing gear. Thus, bycatch is low. Accidental catches are usually returned alive and relatively unharmed. All bycatch that is not discarded is recorded for each trip in the sales invoices. However, in the case of non-landed bycatches, nothing is recorded because it is not a legal requirement.

Habitat Impact
There are newly created marine parks and these are all controlled by the state. In order to control illegal fishing, vessels are monitored via Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). The hand line is considered a passive fishing gear or with no negative interaction with the seabed.

Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and Australian regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
Concerns related to the stock status of King George whiting originated restrictions for certification. Ferguson Australia can use the logo of Friend of the Sea only for King George whiting fished in the West Coast. The company is not allowed to use the logo for catches made in the following fishing areas: Spencer Gulf, Gulf St. Vincent/Kangaroo Island.

Initial Audit Report

Republic of Korea – Midwater trawl – Merluccius hubbsi – FAO 41 (Atlantic, Southwest)

Fishery client: IN SUNG CORPORATION.
Fishing area: FAO 41, Southwest Atlantic.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 11 vessels.
Vessel audited on site as fleet sample: IMO 7042538.
Fishing method: Midwater trawl.
Certified species: Scientific name: Merluccius hubbsi;
Common name: Hake.

Management summary
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) is the executive agency of the Republic of Korea responsible for planning and implementing fisheries policy and general fisheries management. Korean fishing fleets operating far from their national waters must also comply with international law. By Korean law, vessels must have a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). Every 24 hours, the Fisheries Monitoring System makes an automatic report. Measures to protect fish stock, such as limited licenses, restrictions on size and other dimensions of each fishing unit, size selectivity measures, and spatial and seasonal closures are in place.

Stock status summary
According to the “Reporte Merluza.pdf”, it is estimated that the stock of Hake is about 290 thousand tons. There is no evidence that the stock status of this species is overexploited and overfished. Thus, the fishery management indicates to be compatible with the maintenance of the fish stock.

Bycatch / discards
Fishing operation and nets are designed not to discard. Speed fishing gets very low and records are in place. The level of disposal does not exceed 8%. The logbook has information on bycatch species, weight, and units. Accidental catches are not included on the IUCN Red list.

Habitat Impact
The fleet does not operate in Marine Protected Areas. The fishery occurs only in regulated areas 200 miles from the shore. There is no contact with the seabed because of trawls dimensions.

Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and regulations of the Republic of Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any major non-conformities.

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

Atlantic cod, saithe – Mixed gears – FAO 27

Species: Gadus morhua, Pollachius virens
Gear type: Danish seine, hand line, longline
Fishing Area: FAO Area 27

Fishery management

The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO Statistical Area 27). NEAFC takes advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the intergovernmental organisation conducting research on marine resources in the North Atlantic.

In Iceland, the Icelandic Marine Research Institute (Hafrannsóknastofnun) also conducts regular research on the status of all major exploitable stocks. For instance, regular sampling is conducted from landings and the individuals length measured and weighed as well as determining their sex and gonad maturity.

Stock status:

Atlantic cod

The spawning stock biomass of cod in Icelandic waters is increasing and it is higher than has been observed over the last four decades. Fishing mortality has declined significantly in the last decade and it is presently at its historical low (ICES data published in 2016). Hence the stock of atlantic cod is currently not overexploited nor overfished.

Saithe

The spawning stock biomass of saithe in Icelandic waters in 2016 was above the MSY B_trigger. Fishing mortality has declined from 2009 and it is presently below F_MSY (ICES data published in 2016). Hence the stock of saithe is currently not overexploited nor overfished.

Discards:

A total discard ban is set within the fishery and all catch is required to be landed. This is monitored in Iceland by the Directorate of Fisheries (Fiskistofa) at the port during unloading, by observers on the vessels, and by the coast guard at sea.

Resources:

Icelandic Marine Research Institute http://www.hafro.is/undir_eng.php?ID=9&REF=2

Icelandic Fisheries http://www.fisheries.is/

ICES http://www.ices.dk/Pages/default.aspx

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

United Kingdom – Trammel net – Solea limanda, Solea solea, Platichthys flesus, Limanda limanda, Scophthalmus rhombus – FAO 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)

Fishery client: MCB SEAFOODS LTD.
Fishing area: FAO 27, Subarea 7.d, Eastern English Channel.
Fishing vessels: Under 10 meter artisanal fleet.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: NN70; SM300; SM700; NN114; LI575; LI579; H5.
Fishing method: Trammel net.
Certified species:
Scientific name / Common name
Microstomus kitt / Lemon
Solea solea / Dover sole
Platichthys flesus / Flounder
Limanda limanda / Dab
Scophthalmus rhombus / Brill

Management summary
The Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (IFCA) and the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) inspect and manage the fisheries in the Eastern English Channel according to European law. The company fleet is operating with a quota approach according to the laws.

Stock status summary
The fishery assessment done by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has a database for Dover sole, which shows that the stock status of this species is not overexploited and overfished. Available data from the other species show that no more than 10% of the stock is caught.
Bycatch / discards
Vessels are under 10 mt and they are not obliged to the use of logbook. Nevertheless, most of them are filling a traceability paper. The fleet usually uses a mesh size of 11.2 cm, which is greater than the minimum required, to reduce accidental catch of undersized fish. Accidental catches are released alive at sea.

Habitat Impact
The fleet does not operate in Marine Protected Areas. According to the auditor, a quota system is in place for the fisheries and the trammel nets are not affecting the seabed.

Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and national regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements. Even so, the necessity of the entire fleet fill the traceability paper, as well as the importance of reinforcing measures to minimize the loss of fishing nets have been reported and will be inspected at the next audit.

Initial Audit Report

European plaice – Danish seine – FAO 27

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

S.sprattus

European sprat – Pelagic trawl – FAO 27

Species: Sprattus sprattus
Gear type: Pelagic trawl
Fishing Area: FAO Area 27 Atlantic North East – Subarea III; Subdivision 28.1 (Gulf of Riga)

Fishery management: The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO Statistical Area 27). NEAFC takes advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the intergovernmental organisation conducting research on marine resources in the North Atlantic.

The fishery is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture Republic of Latvia and more specifically by the Fisheries department.

Stock status: According to the latest stock assessment published in 2016 by ICES, the stock of European sprat in the Baltic Sea is at full reproductive capacity and it is harvested sustainably.

Habitat impact: The fleet uses pelagic trawl set in the water column, without interacting with the seabed and the benthic communities.

Bycatch and discards are considered negligible (ICES 2016).

It is a legal requirement to land all fish caught. There is no minimum size so all the catch is marketed. Unmarketable fish (either too small or not popular) is sold for fishmeal.

Source:

Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Latvia www.Zm.gov.lv

ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch and effort. Baltic Sea Ecoregion 2016. Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in subdivisions 22–32 (Baltic Sea)

C.harrengus

Atlantic herring – Pelagic trawl – FAO 27

Species: Clupea harengus
Gear type: Pelagic trawl
Fishing Area: FAO Area 27 Atlantic North East – Subarea III; Subdivision 28.1 (Gulf of Riga)

Fishery management: The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO Statistical Area 27). NEAFC takes advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the intergovernmental organisation conducting research on marine resources in the North Atlantic.

The fishery is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture Republic of Latvia and more specifically by the Fisheries department.

Stock status: According to the latest stock assessment of herring, published in 2016 by ICES, the stock of Atlantic herring in subdivision 28.1 is at full reproductive capacity and its biomass is above the maximum sustainable yield.

Habitat impact: The fleet uses pelagic trawl set in the water column, without interacting with the seabed and the benthic communities.

Bycatch and discards are considered negligible (ICES 2016).

It is a legal requirement to land all fish caught. There is no minimum size so all the catch is marketed. Unmarketable fish (either too small or not popular) is sold for fishmeal.

Source:

Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Latvia www.Zm.gov.lv

ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch and effort. Baltic Sea Ecoregion 2016. Herring (Clupea harengus) in Subdivision 28.1 (Gulf of Riga)

Initial Audit Report

S.sprattus

European sprat – Pelagic trawl – FAO 27

Species: Sprattus sprattus
Gear type: Pelagic trawl
Fishing Area: FAO Area 27 Atlantic North East – Subarea III; Subdivision 28.1 (Gulf of Riga)

Fishery management: The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO Statistical Area 27). NEAFC takes advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the intergovernmental organisation conducting research on marine resources in the North Atlantic.

The fishery is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture Republic of Latvia and more specifically by the Fisheries department.

Stock status: According to the latest stock assessment published in 2016 by ICES, the stock of European sprat in the Baltic Sea is at full reproductive capacity and it is harvested sustainably.

Habitat impact: The fleet uses pelagic trawl set in the water column, without interacting with the seabed and the benthic communities.

Bycatch and discards are considered negligible (ICES 2016).

It is a legal requirement to land all fish caught. There is no minimum size so all the catch is marketed. Unmarketable fish (either too small or not popular) is sold for fishmeal.

Source:

Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Latvia www.Zm.gov.lv

ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch and effort. Baltic Sea Ecoregion 2016. Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in subdivisions 22–32 (Baltic Sea)

C.harrengus

Atlantic herring – Pelagic trawl – FAO 27

Species: Clupea harengus
Gear type: Pelagic trawl
Fishing Area: FAO Area 27 Atlantic North East – Subarea III; Subdivision 28.1 (Gulf of Riga)

Fishery management: The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO Statistical Area 27). NEAFC takes advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the intergovernmental organisation conducting research on marine resources in the North Atlantic.

The fishery is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture Republic of Latvia and more specifically by the Fisheries department.

Stock status: According to the latest stock assessment of herring, published in 2016 by ICES, the stock of Atlantic herring in subdivision 28.1 is at full reproductive capacity and its biomass is above the maximum sustainable yield.

Habitat impact: The fleet uses pelagic trawl set in the water column, without interacting with the seabed and the benthic communities.

Bycatch and discards are considered negligible (ICES 2016).

It is a legal requirement to land all fish caught. There is no minimum size so all the catch is marketed. Unmarketable fish (either too small or not popular) is sold for fishmeal.

Source:

Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Latvia www.Zm.gov.lv

ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch and effort. Baltic Sea Ecoregion 2016. Herring (Clupea harengus) in Subdivision 28.1 (Gulf of Riga)

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

USA – Gulf menhaden – Purse seine – FAO 31

Species: Brevoortia petronus (Gulf menhaden)
Gear type: Purse seine
Fishing Area: FAO Area 31 (Gulf of Mexico)

Fishery management: The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) is the competent fishery management organisation, responsible of setting policies and conducting the stock assessment.

A stock assessment update was published in 2016, including data from 2012 to 2015 to previous assessment.

Stock status: According to 2016 GSMFC report, the fishing mortality rate decreased during the 1990s and has remained low since then. Spawning stock biomass has increased steadily since the 1990s and has remained high since then. The Gulf of Mexico Gulf menhaden stock is not experiencing overfishing and is not overfished.

Habitat impact: The fleet uses purse seine, which is set in the water column, with only occasional interaction with the seabed and hence low impact on the benthic communities.

Bycatch and discards: The fishery maintains records of bycatch and discards. The fishing gear used is highly selective and an excluder device is used to exclude large animals from the tube used to pump fish on board the vessel.

Source

Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) http://www.gsmfc.org/

http://www.gsmfc.org/publications/GSMFC%20Number%20254.pdf