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The Argentine fishery for Patagonian Toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides under the management authority of Consejo Federal Pesquero (Federal Fishery Council of Argentina) has now entered the information-gathering phase of certification assessment on behalf of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) (click here).  Certification considers sustainability of the fishery and effects on non-target species, such as bycatch of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels.  The Argentine longline fishery for toothfish is known to result in the deaths of seabirds (click here).

The demersal (bottom) fishery under certification is by longline, trawl and traps and takes place on the Argentine Continental Shelf inside the Argentine Economic Exclusive Zone, within FAO Statistical Area 41.  The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in 2102 was 3500 tonnes.  The Organización Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA) is carrying out the assessment (click here).

 “The primary objective of this stage [of the assessment] is to collect information on the fishery and in particular to speak to representatives of the fishery, fishery management bodies and other stakeholders of the fishery.”

Black-browed Albatrosses congregate behind a fishing vessel

Photograph by Graham Robertson

The fishery is comprised of four companies: Estremar S.A., Pesantar S.A., Argenova S.A., and San Arawa S.A.  Together these companies operate seven vessels and are assigned the entire TAC for this species in the Argentine Sea.

Click here for information on the other toothfish fisheries with MSC certification or undergoing assessment.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 October 2013