Alaska Pollock

The stock of Alaska pollock is in good condition. Both in the Gulf of Alaska and in the eastern Bering Sea, biomass is at sustainable levels and fishing pressure is low, although there are concerns about the future development of the stock in the Gulf of Alaska.

In fisheries using trawl nets such as midwater otter trawls, the bycatch of vulnerable ETP species, such as Chinook salmon and Steller sea lions, is an important concern. Less than 10% of the catch is discarded and approximately 98% of the catch consists of Alaska pollock. Although the fishery is pelagic (midwater), the fishing gear regularly comes into contact with the seabed and can disturb vulnerable seabed habitats and the food web. CO₂ emissions and the risk of lost fishing gear are average.

The stock is well monitored in both areas through extensive observer programmes and regularly updated stock estimates. Management is generally effective and based on scientific advice, but in the Gulf of Alaska measures for vulnerable species have proved less effective since the permitted bycatch limit for Chinook salmon was exceeded for the first time in 2024. In the eastern Bering Sea, measures to protect vulnerable species are more effective, although climate change remains a growing concern.

Due to differences in management and stock status, Alaska pollock from the Northwest Pacific scores higher (green) than Alaska pollock from the Northeast Pacific (yellow).

MSC-certified alaskan pollock is available from at least a few fisheries.

The latest assessment of fisheries using this method was conducted in 2020.

The stock of Alaska pollock is in good condition. Both in the Gulf of Alaska and in the eastern Bering Sea, the biomass is at sustainable levels and fishing pressure is low, although there are concerns about the future development of the stock in the Gulf of Alaska.

The ecological impact of the catch method Danish seine cannot currently be determined due to incomplete information on bycatch. As a result, the ecological impact cannot be properly assessed either. The category ecosystem effects therefore receives a red score.

The overall fishery management framework applies to this fishery and is considered partially effective. For this reason, the category fishery management receives an orange score.

The final assessment for this fishery is yellow, but this fishery is not recommended due to a lack of recent information and the availability of more sustainable alternatives.

The stock of Alaska pollock is in good condition. Both in the Gulf of Alaska and in the eastern Bering Sea, biomass is at sustainable levels and fishing pressure is low, although there are concerns about the future development of the stock in the Gulf of Alaska.

Alaska pollock is mainly caught using pelagic trawl nets, such as bottom otter trawls. This fishing method has a large ecological impact. There is a high level of bycatch, and the survival rate of these species is low when they are returned to the sea. For this reason, the category ecosystem effects receives a red score.

The general fishery management framework applies to this fishery and is considered partially effective. For this reason, the category fishery management receives a yellow score.

MSC-certified trawl-caught Alaska pollock is available; nevertheless, this fishery receives a red final assessment due to the fishing method and the lack of measures to prevent its negative impacts.