Shrimp

Initial Audit Report

CAR Initial

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

Basic description of the fleet/fishery

Fishery client: ASARO MATTEO COSIMO VINCENZO SRL.

Fishing area: FAO Area 37, GSAs: 20, 21, 23, 26, 24 and 25.

Fishing vessels: Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: 27551; 26786.

Fishing method: Trawler.

Certified species: Scientific name / Common name

Aristaeomorpha foliacea / Giant red shrimp

Management summary

In Italy, the fishery policy is implemented through the Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies (MIPAAF) and by the Directorate for Fisheries of the regional administrations, with the support of services provided by decentralized offices (Marine Coastal Guard). The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is the regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) that has the authority to adopt binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management in its area of application and plays a critical role in fisheries governance in the region.

Stock status summary

According to GFCM, the Giant red shrimp fishing is conducted with about 800m deep, while the stock is spread to a depth of 1200m. This ensures a protected area with a homogeneous stock not fished. In addition, Stockmed project results show stock homogeneity. Based on this information, and taking into account the fishery data of the certification unit, the auditor concluded that the stock is not overfished and overexploited.

Bycatch / discards

The most common bycatch species is the Hake (Merluccius merluccius), classified as “Least Concern” in the IUCN Red list. All bycatches and discards are recorded in the logbook. The level of discards is less than 5%.

Habitat Impact 

All vessels are equipped with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and the fleet complies with the rules on Marine Protected Areas. Fishing occurs from 50-70 miles from the coast and, in the case of islands, with 6 miles minimum distance. Bottom trawling is conducted in authorized areas, with a muddy seabed and at 800 meters depth, so that the impact on the seabed is considered minimal.

Social Accountability performance

The fleet complies with the human rights and Italian labour regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval

The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any major non-conformity.

Initial Audit Report

CAR Initial

Initial Audit Report

Corrective actions

Basic description of the fleet/fishery

Fishery client: ASARO MATTEO COSIMO VINCENZO SRL.

Fishing area: FAO Area 37, GSAs: 20, 21, 23, 26, 24 and 25.

Fishing vessels: Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: 27551; 26786.

Fishing method: Trawler.

Certified species: Scientific name / Common name

Aristaeomorpha foliacea / Giant red shrimp

Management summary

In Italy, the fishery policy is implemented through the Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies (MIPAAF) and by the Directorate for Fisheries of the regional administrations, with the support of services provided by decentralized offices (Marine Coastal Guard). The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is the regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) that has the authority to adopt binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management in its area of application and plays a critical role in fisheries governance in the region.

Stock status summary

According to GFCM, the Giant red shrimp fishing is conducted with about 800m deep, while the stock is spread to a depth of 1200m. This ensures a protected area with a homogeneous stock not fished. In addition, Stockmed project results show stock homogeneity. Based on this information, and taking into account the fishery data of the certification unit, the auditor concluded that the stock is not overfished and overexploited.

Bycatch / discards

The most common bycatch species is the Hake (Merluccius merluccius), classified as “Least Concern” in the IUCN Red list. All bycatches and discards are recorded in the logbook. The level of discards is less than 5%.

Habitat Impact 

All vessels are equipped with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and the fleet complies with the rules on Marine Protected Areas. Fishing occurs from 50-70 miles from the coast and, in the case of islands, with 6 miles minimum distance. Bottom trawling is conducted in authorized areas, with a muddy seabed and at 800 meters depth, so that the impact on the seabed is considered minimal.

Social Accountability performance

The fleet complies with the human rights and Italian labour regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval

The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any major non-conformity.

Initial Audit Report

Basic description of the fleet/fishery

Fishery client: Asociación De Armadores Punta Del Moral, S.C.A.

Fishing area: FAO Area 27

Fishing vessels: Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: ESP000025443, ESP000024473 ESP000026674

Fishing method: Trawler.

Certified species: Scientific name / Common name

Parapenaeus longirostris / Deep-water rose shrimp  

Management summary

Asociación de Armadores Punta del Moral SCA operates in FAO area 27.IXa using bottom trawl methods authorized and regulated under the Spanish and EU fisheries framework. Is subject to continuous monitoring, reporting, and enforcement by competent authorities including MAPA, IEO-CSIC, Junta de Andalucía, and the Guardia Civil-Seprona.

The fishery is managed under an effective legal framework with an updated Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and complies with local, national and international laws.

Stock status summary

The fishery is managed under the jurisdiction of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), in coordination with the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and regional advisory bodies such as ICES and GFCM.

Data on Parapenaeus longirostris (deep-water rose shrimp) stocks in the Gulf of Cádiz and adjacent Portuguese waters (FAO area 27.IXa, ICES Subarea 9) is collected and analyzed by national research institutes such as IFAPA, IEO-CSIC, and international scientific bodies including ICES and GFCM.

Management decisions—including fishing quotas, seasonal closures, minimum sizes, and gear regulations—are based on scientific stock assessments and follow the precautionary approach when data is limited, particularly in deeper offshore areas.

Spain has also participated in regional data collection programs under the EU Data Collection Framework (DCF), providing consistent biological and catch data for the species.

Bycatch/discards

All vessels targeting Parapenaeus longirostris within the EU fishing zone, including those in FAO Area 27.IXa / ICES Subarea 9, are required by law to record bycatch and discards for each fishing trip,

All vessels targeting Parapenaeus longirostris within the EU fishing zone, including those in FAO Area 27.IXa / ICES Subarea 9, are required by law to record bycatch and discards for each fishing trip, under a structured and enforceable control regime.

Habitat Impact 

The fleet operates within managed, monitored areas, applies mitigation technologies like flying doors, and avoids restricted zones—recently reaffirmed by a 2023 European Commission assessment that reduced the extent of VMEs in the Gulf of Cádiz, confirming the compatibility of the current trawling grounds with habitat conservation.

Social Accountability performance

The fleet complies with the human rights and Spanish labour regulations.

Initial Audit Report

Recertification audit report

Basic description of the fleet/fishery

Fishery client: Atlantic Shrimpers Limited

Fishing area: FAO 34

Fishing vessels: STAR SHRIMPERS XXVII, STAR SHRIMPERS XV, STAR SHRIMPERS XXV, STAR SHRIMPERS XIX, STAR SHRIMPERS X, QUEEN AMINA, STAR SHRIMPERS XX, MADAM TINUBU, STAR SHRIMPERS XXVI

Fishing method: Shrimp Trawling

Certified species: Scientific name / Common name

 Penaeus monodon/ Wild tiger shrimp

Management summary

The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research conduct studies about shrimp fisheries.

A working group of the FAO-organized Fisheries Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) convenes to assess and discuss demersal species in the CECAF south region.

The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) conduct a continuous check to the fishery.

Stock status summary

The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research conduct studies about shrimp fisheries, as general precautionary advice for the costal shrimp in Nigeria, FAO recommends not providing more fishing licenses until more knowledge about their status is available.

This advice doesn’t specifically consider P. monodon’s status as an introduced species. however, and any potential control of this species will be complicated by the likely mixed-species nature of the fishery.

No assessment is known to be conducted of Nigerian coastal shrimp species (FAO, 2011).

A working group of the FAO organized fisheries Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic asses and discuss demersal species, but data is insufficient to allow an assessment or the identification of a trend.

A preliminary evaluation of the status of Giant tiger Prawn in Nigeria water was reported by AP Marine Environmental Consultancy LTD in December 2018.

Bycatch / discards

All by-catch, and discards are recoded on the log book; trawling is prohibited within 5nm of the continental Shelf to protect the nursery ground and to reduce conflict between artisanal and industrial fisheries, and in water shallower than 18 mt. The codend should have more than 44 mm of mesh size. Trawling method always give the possibility to release live animal with a high chance of survival.

In the bycatch there are no species listed in IUCN red list.

Habitat Impact 

The fishing method used by the company’s vessel is shrimp trawling, that method had no negative impact on the sea bed.

Social Accountability performance

The fleet complies with the human rights and International labor regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval

The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any major non-conformity.

Initial Audit Report

Norway – Bottom trawler – Pandalus borealis –FAO 21 (Atlantic, Northeast) and FAO 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)

Fishery client: COLD WATER PRAWNS OF NORWAY.
Fishing area: FAO 21 and FAO 27, Northwest Atlantic Ocean Waters; Ices 1 and 2.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 8 vessels.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: F-35-A; N-100-O; N-445-O.
Fishing method: Bottom trawler.
Certified species: Scientific name: Pandalus borealis;
Common name: Northern prawn.

Management summary
The Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs is the agency that manages fisheries in Norway. The Directorate of Fisheries acts as the Ministry’s advisory and executive body in matters concerning fishing and the management of aquaculture. The Directorate of Fisheries’ role is to provide professional input in the policy-making process. Currently, due to the good situation of northern prawn stocks, there is no quota for each vessel. The fleet complies with the Norwegian national regulation using the compulsory grid for the trawlers, minimum size of catch, distance of fishing from the coast and the size of nets.

Stock status summary
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) develops advice to support the sustainable use of the stocks in the Barents Sea. According to ICES, the stock of northern prawn does not result overexploited. Throughout the history of the fishery, estimates of the stock biomass have been far above the Maximum Sustainable Yield. In 2015, the total quota established was 105 metric tonnes. Normally, the entire Norwegian fishing fleet never reach the total quota. The stock has always been exploited far below the maximum rate of fishing mortality and is not overfished.

Bycatch / discards
All bycatch is recorded in the logbook. Selectivity is guaranteed by the compulsory application of a grid. No evidence or impact on other fish are registered. Accidental catches can happen with small fish, such as redfish or cod. In this case, the area is closed if there are more than 3 pieces per 10 kg for redfish and more than 8 pieces per 10 kg for cod.

Habitat Impact
There is no fishing in Marine Protected Areas, nor in reproduction grounds of fish, which are monitored by the fisheries authority via GPS. The trawling is done on a mud seabed. The area is very large and the seabed has time to recover after every passage. Used trawls do not dig the area. The fleet is operating from 200 to 700 m deep, at a minimum distance of 12 miles from the shore.

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

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fishery complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any non-conformity.

Initial Audit Report

Aristaemorpha foliacea – Bottom trawl – FAO 37 (2.2, Ionian)

Species: Aristaeomorpha foliacea

Gear type: Bottom trawl

Fishing Area: FAO 37, Subarea 2.2 Ionian (GSA 16)

Fishery management:

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is the regional fishery management organisation in charge of the assessment of the size and state of fish stocks in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea (FAO 37), including giant red shrimp (Aristaemorpha foliacea). GFCM is in charge also of ensuring the sustainability of fisheries activities through the adoption of adequate management measures.

The Italian authority responsible for the supervision and management of fisheries is the General Fisheries directorate-general of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Stock Status:

The most recent stock assessment for A. foliacea in GSA 16 (Strait of Sicily) was published in 2011, and refer to data collected in 2010. The assessment concluded that the stock in the Strait of Sicily is considered to be subject to overfishing since the fishing mortality in 2010 exceeded the reference point set by GFCM.

Discard and bycatch:

Although a mean discard rate in shrimp fisheries of 49% of catch in the Strait of Sicily was reported, the overall amount of discards generated by red shrimp fisheries is generally low (STECF 11-14, 2011) as a significant fraction of the by-catch is made up of economically important species.

References:

GFCM http://www.fao.org/gfcm/activities/fisheries/stock-assessment/en/

FAO, MedSudMed http://www.faomedsudmed.org/html/species/Aristaeomorpha%20foliacea.html

Initial Audit Report

Surveillance Audit Report

Recertification audit report

Indonesia – Trammel net – Metapenaeus ensis, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus indicus – FAO 71 (Pacific, Western Central)

Fishery client: PT Windublambangan Sejati.
Fishing area: FAO 71, Western Central Pacific Waters.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 100 vessels.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: 503/77/TPKKP/435.221/2017; 296/2017; 229/2017; 308/2017; 216/2017; .259/2017; 303/2017; 302/2017; 309/2017; 228/2017.
Fishing method: Trammel net.
Certified species: Scientific name / Common name
Metapenaeus ensis / Greasyback shrimp;
Penaeus monodon / Giant tiger prawn;
Penaeus indicus / Indian white prawn.

Management summary
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) is responsible for the management of the fisheries sector in Indonesia. The country is among the nations that adopted the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in March 1999, which incorporate the Precautionary Principle to protect the target stock and its habitat and preserve the marine environment. There are several regulations that fully encompasses the legal and administration framework for fisheries management, licensing of commercial operations, and contains provision for quota management, compliance monitoring and enforcement.

Stock status summary
In FAO area 71, Penaeus indicus is considered medium to fully exploited, Penaeus monodon is considered fully to overexploited, and there is no data for Metapenaeus ensis. Based on Decree 2016 of the Indonesian Fisheries Department, the potential stock of Penaeid in the Java Sea was 53,890 MT, while the total catch from January to August 2017 in Ambunten was 240.7 MT for the three species, which represented 0.4% of the potential stock. In Java Sea/Sumenep, the total allowable shrimp catch is 46,712 MT per year.

Bycatch / discards
Records indicate that bycatch generally correspond to Thunnus albacaras, Trichiurus lepturus, and Caranx kurra, no species in the IUCN Red list. There is no discard in trammel net fishing, since all by catch has economic value. Total bycatch correspond to 1.1 MT out of 35 MT, representing 3.1% of total catches.

Habitat Impact
The Indonesian government, based on NOMOR 71/PERMEN-KP/2016, manages the mesh size, net size and minimum size, vessel size, fishing gears, fishing areas and distance from shore. As trammel net is used in a fishing area of 2.8 to 27 KM from shoreline, with low season (from January to June), the impact is minimal. The trammel net floats on the water column, not damaging the seabed.

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

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fishery complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any non-conformity.

Initial Audit Report

Corrective actions

Australia – Trawler – Fenneropenaeus merguiensis – FAO 71 (Pacific, Western Central)

Fishery client: A. Raptis and Sons.
Fishing area: FAO 71, Western Central Pacific Waters; Gulf of Carpentaria.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 52 vessels.
Vessel audited on site as fleet sample: 386076.
Fishing method: Trawler.
Certified species: Scientific name: Fenneropenaeus merguiensis;
Common name: Banana prawn.

Management summary
The Australian Fish Monitoring Authority (AFMA) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) monitor the fishing grounds in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The fishery is managed according to the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1995, which includes limits to the number of vessels and gears, seasonal area closures, permanent area closures, gear restrictions and operational controls.

Stock status summary
The Northern Prawn Fishery for Banana prawns has not been subject to a stock assessment. Nevertheless, AFMA considers the stock sustainable according to a catch per unit effort (CPUE) management plan and its results. The fishery is managed by period and this is based on a CPUE of <425 kg per boat per day. When catches drop below a certain level, the fishery is closed. The Northern Prawn Fishery Industry (NPFI), including members from all stakeholders in the fishery, SCIRO and AFMA, monitors this. The stock is not considered overexploited.

Bycatch / discards
The main bycatch species are mainly forage fish. Bycatch of non-commercial species is very low, but includes some species listed in the IUCN Red list. Nets are towed in areas with sonar activity to determine species composition, greatly reducing the potential for high bycatch volumes. All vessels are required to have bycatch reduction devices including turtle excluders.

Habitat Impact
There is no minimum distance from the shore for fishing. However, there are enclosed areas and seasonal closures. There is no fishing in Marine Protected Areas, as reported on the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) of all vessels. In addition to VMS control, there are vessels that patrol occasionally to avoid illegal fishing. Only a small portion of the seabed in the fishing area is trawled, and it happens only on soft mud, where the banana prawns live.

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

Conclusion with reasons for approval
Despite of minor non-conformities (concerns related to the species in the IUCN Red list and the vessels’ refrigeration systems), the fleet complied with Friend of the Sea requirements. The procedure of non-conformity was closed when the company sent documents showing that the irregularities pointed out by the auditor were being corrected.

Initial Audit Report

France – Bottom trawler – Penaeus indicus, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus semisulcatus, Metapenaeus monoceros – FAO 51 (Indian Ocean, Western)

Fishery client: Gel-Pêche.
Fishing area: FAO 51, Western Indian Ocean Waters.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 7 vessels.
Fishing method: Bottom trawler.
Certified species: Scientific name / Common name
Penaeus indicus / Indian white prawn;
Penaeus monodon / Giant tiger prawn;
Penaeus semisulcatus / Green tiger prawn;
Metapenaeus monoceros / Speckled shrimp.

Management summary
The audited company, located in France, is not the owner of the fishing fleet. Gel-Pêche is the importer of a fishery that occurs in Madagascar, FAO are 51. Thus, it must comply with local laws. The Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries (MAEP) in Madagascar has the responsibility for the management of the different fisheries. The country is among the nations that adopted the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which incorporate the Precautionary Principle. For industrial shrimp fishing, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and onboard observers are required. There are routine land and sea inspections.

Stock status summary
According to FAO 2004/2005, the Penaeus species fished by Gel-Pêche suppliers in Madagascar are not overexploited and no overfishing is occurring.

Bycatch / discards
A bycatch reduction program, which aims to reduce discard to a minimum, is in place. The reduction of bycatch is being achieved by the use of Trawler Exterminator Devices (TEDs), preventing the capture of turtles and limiting them to 28% of non-target species. On 10 January 2007, the United States Department of State announced that Madagascar has adopted a TED program comparable to that of the United States and is enforcing its program in a credible manner. Only a negligible part of the bycatch is discarded as most of it is consumed locally. Bycatch species are not included in the IUCN Red list.

Habitat Impact
VMS control and periodical surveillance are in place to safeguard the Marine Protected Areas. Qualified observers representing the authority concerned supervise the operations of fishing to make the necessary statistical summaries. According to the auditor, all vessels have obtained a regular license, based on fishing zones and stock status information. In addition, the use of TED and VMS/Sonar was verified.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The importer complies with Friend of the Sea requirements. The audited company has a mature management system, evidenced by the monitoring of all existing fishing materials and infrastructures.

Initial Audit Report

Corrective Actions

Italy – Trawler – Nephrops norvegicus, Aristaemorpha foliacea – FAO 37 (Mediterranean and Black sea)

Fishery client: Cooperativa Pescatori Stella Maris Arbatax, GAC Sardegna orientale.
Fishing area: FAO 37, Sardinia (Division 37.1.3).
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of ___ vessels.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: 5CA 155; 5CA 220.
Fishing method: Trawler.
Certified species: Scientific name / Common name
Nephrops norvegicus / Scampi;
Aristaemorpha foliacea / Giant red shrimp.

Management summary
In Italy, the fishery policy is implemented through the Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies (MIPAAF) and by the Directorate for Fisheries of the regional administrations, with the support of services provided by decentralized offices (Marine Coastal Guard). The audited company has a Local Management Plan that takes into account the role of each species in the ecosystem involved and implemented measures more restrictive than the sector legislation.

Stock status summary
The auditor took into account data from the International bottom trawl survey in the Mediterranean (MEDITS). N. norvegicus is classified in the IUCN list as “Least concern”, with no evidence of overexploitation. On the other hand, A. foliacea was recorded in overfishing situations in some areas of Sardinia.

Bycatch / discards
There is no evidence of accidental catches in the logbook. However, if it occurs, data is recorded and checked by the authorities at landing. The level of disposal is insignificant due to the mesh size that allows a selection of the catch according to the minimum size by law.

Habitat Impact
The fishery occurs 3 miles from shore up to a maximum of 40 miles, outside of Marine Protected Areas. There is no fishing in spawning and nursery grounds, nor evidence of impact on the seabed.

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

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The N. norvegicus fishery complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any non-conformity. On the other hand, despite of major non-conformities (concerns related mainly to the stock status), the A. foliacea fishery complied with Friend of the Sea requirements. The procedure of non-conformity was closed when the company sent a conclusive study from the University of Cagliari on this issue.

Initial audit