The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has renewed its certification of the longline fishery for toothfish that takes place around Kerguelen and the Crozet Islands in the Southern seas.
Seven longliners operated by six companies that take part in the seasonal fishery and are represented by the Reunion Freezer Longliner Shipowners Association (SARPC), passed the evaluation according to the latest version of the MSC Fisheries Standard, and proved that they ensure the sustainability of toothfish stocks and minimize their impact on ecosystems.
‘We are delighted with the MSC re-certification of our toothfish fishery, which confirms its exemplary status,” said SARPC President Adrien de Chomereau. “It also rewards the work and the efforts made over more than twenty years by our companies and our crews in consultation with the National Museum of Natural History and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, with a constant determination to increase sustainability," he added.
Patagonian toothfish or Chilean seabass (Dissostichus eleginoides) is a very valuable species, mainly sold in the American and Asian markets. This fish, which is found between 200 and 2500m, can live more than 50 years and reach more than 2m long.
Toothfish stocks assessments are conducted by the National Museum of Natural History (Muséum national d’Histoire Naturelle, MNHN) and are reviewed by CCAMLR. They also perform tagging operations which provide a better understanding of the biology of the species and ensure that the toothfish population is in good health.
Many measures are taken to ensure the health of the toothfish population, including observation protocols on all the vessels, a limited number of fishing licenses, or satellite monitoring of vessels to control and prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Besides, to ensure respect for ecosystems and other marine species, the fishery acts for the conservation of birds, including diving weighted lines, at night only, and using scaring streamers and Brickle curtain.
Toothfish fishing in Antarctic waters.
These measures have resulted in a 95 percent reduction in seabird bycatch since 2000. Besides, to avoid orcas depredation, the lines are not dragged in their presence and the bait releases are far away fishing areas.
MSC certified for the first time in 2013 for the Kerguelen area, and 2017 for the Crozet area, the toothfish fishery continued to improve its environmental performance to maintain and renew its certification.
A mapping exercise, carried out as part of the extension of a Marine Protected Area, has also allowed to identify the main and vulnerable habitats of Crozet to protect them in a better way.
Through an analysis of data from scientific surveys and at-sea observations, the fishery also confirmed its limited impact on rays and grenadiers populations. Spatial closures, avoidance rules and cutting lines to release bycatch are in place to protect these species.
Over the next five years, the fishery should examine the effectiveness of these measures through offshore experiments and adjust them as necessary.
Mascareignes III longliner, from Armas Peche.
The companies associated with the SARPC and the boats that participate in the fishery are: Armas Peche (Mascareignes III), Cap Bourbon (Cap Kersaint), Comata - Scapeche (Island of Reunion II), Les Armements Réunionnais (Île Bourbon), Pêche Avenir (Saint-André) and Sapmer (Albius and Cap Horn I).
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