Pacific cod

Cod from the Bering Sea and around the Aleutian Islands in FAO 61 and 67 has been [MSC certified] since 2010. The cod stock is doing well here. There are 39 vessels in the fishery, ranging from small boats operating close to shore to large vessels capable of directly processing and freezing the cod. Various methods of catching cod have been used, such as [bottom trawl], [longline longline fishing], [hand-line hand-lines-and-line-lines-machine] (jigging) and [pots-pots-and-traps]. Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska is a fast-growing fish, reaching an average length of 19 cm in the first year. By the age of 12 they can exceed 90 cm. The stocks are generally exploited from the age of three. The cod spawn between January and May, but are available all year round.

Cod is caught in the Pacific Ocean in the Gulf of Alaska (FAO 67) using a variety of fishing methods. The Pacific cod fish stock in the Gulf of Alaska has recently declined sharply due to high water temperatures. In the cod fishery, potential interactions with sea lions and bycatch of other vulnerable species are of concern. Management is very effective and includes strict regulations to evaluate fish stocks and fishing levels annually and adjusts them if needed. Measures have been taken to reduce impact on the seabed and policies are being developed to protect the ecosystem.

Note: This fishery is currently closed, but there may still be frozen product on the market.