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Whiting

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General

Cod-like fish

Cod-like fishes belong to the Gadidae family. This includes the Atlantic and Pacific cod, pouting, haddock, whiting, European pollock, Alaska pollock and saithe. They live near the seabed in coastal waters and in deeper waters. During the day, they aggregate in schools. At night, they separate to forage independently. Gadidae are omnivorous fish that feed on worms, molluscs, bivalves, crustaceans and small fish. They migrate over large distances to spawn and to hunt on large schools of herring and smelt.

 

 

Whiting

Whiting, also known as merlin, is a fish species from the cod family. Whiting can be found in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Iceland and the Barents Sea in the north, down to Portugal in the south. Whiting lives close to the seabed, at depths between 30 – 100 m. Whiting has a longer life-span than other cod species, it can get up to 20 years old. Whiting is mostly consumed in England and France. It is gaining in popularity on the markets because stocks of other cod species are in decline.

 

Whiting

Merlangius merlangus
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, northeast (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Scottish seining/flyshoot

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Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

The whiting stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
is currently at a sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs.
level. However, it is seen that the age at which whiting become sexually mature is getting younger. This could mean that the slightly older individuals are ending up in the catch more often, which currently requires them to reproduce earlier than before.

ScottishScottish seines:
A fishing technique whereby a net with a long line (the seagulls) is pulled through the water on both sides. The ship is slowly steaming forward when getting in. Also called flyshooting
seines, or flyshoot, are likely to impact other species, including endangered and protectedProtected species:
Many marine species are protected from deliberate or intentional disturbance, capture, injury and killing, and in some cases possession or sale. Species are often protected if they play an important role in the ecosystem or are sensitive to fishing. These marine species are protected regardless of whether they are inside or outside marine protected areas.
species. However, research shows that bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
of sharks and rays is less common than previously thought. Because this fishery largely targets data-poorData-poor:
Fish species for which no scientific information is yet available. Due to lack of information, these species are often not managed by EU catch advice.
species, the impact of this fishery on other fish species in the ecosystem is still relatively unknown.

Whiting is managed by common catch limitsCatch limits:
The maximum amount of fish of a species caught per country, per year. 
, meaning there is no control over how much whiting is caught per specific management area. ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured.
of this species is partially effective.

Whiting

Merlangius merlangus
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, northeast (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Bottom trawls

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

The whiting stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
is currently at a sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs.
level. However, it is seen that the age at which whiting become sexually mature is getting younger. This could mean that the slightly older individuals are ending up in the catch more often, which currently requires them to reproduce earlier than before.

BottomBottom trawls:
A fishing technique in which cone-shaped nets terminating in a codend are dragged through the water column or along the bottom.
trawls are likely to cause significant negative impacts on the ecosystem by interacting with benthic habitats and species. BycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
of other species, including endangered and protectedProtected species:
Many marine species are protected from deliberate or intentional disturbance, capture, injury and killing, and in some cases possession or sale. Species are often protected if they play an important role in the ecosystem or are sensitive to fishing. These marine species are protected regardless of whether they are inside or outside marine protected areas.
species, is likely and often documented.

Whiting is managed by common catch limitsCatch limits:
The maximum amount of fish of a species caught per country, per year. 
, meaning there is no control over how much whiting is caught per specific management area. ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured.
of this species is partially effective.

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.

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