Seafood Results
Crab
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Australia - Eastern Indian Ocean: Peel-Harvey Estuary
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Population is healthy but further assessment is needed.
Bycatch and habitat: Fishery incurs minimal bycatch and harvest method has minimal impacts on seafloor habitat.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue King
Paralithodes platypus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Alaska, Northeast Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea (Saint Matthew Island)
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring.
Management: Effective management insures the sustainable harvest of this species.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Australia - New South Wales, Southwest Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Management: Fishery is well-managed with recovery efforts are in place for populations at low abundances.
Habitat: Crab pots used to catch blue swimmer crab cause low damage to the physical and biological structures of the seafloor.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Longlines
Location
U.S. - Maryland, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Chesapeake Bay
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stocks are healthy, and overfishing is a low concern.
Bycatch: Harvest method (trotline a form of longline) incurs minimal bycatch.
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Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Alaska, Northeast Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Scoopnets
Location
Mexico - Campeche, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Population size and fishing levels are uncertain because of the lack of assessments of this species.
Bycatch: Bycatch is minimal but catch of sharptooth swimming crab is of concern as it's stock status is unknown.
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Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
Mexico - Campeche, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Population size and fishing levels are uncertain because of the lack of assessments of this species.
Bycatch: Bycatch is minimal but catch of sharptooth swimming crab is of concern as it's stock status is unknown.
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Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Australia - Eastern Indian Ocean: Cockburn Sound
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance and management: Population is depleted, but management measures are in place to help it recover.
Habitat: Crab pots used to catch blue swimmer crab cause low damage to the physical and biological structures of the seafloor.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Australia - Eastern Indian Ocean: Gulf of St. Vincent
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance and management: Population is depleted, but management measures are in place to help it recover.
Habitat: Crab pots used to catch blue swimmer crab cause low damage to the physical and biological structures of the seafloor.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Southern Tanner
Chionoecetes bairdi
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Alaska, Northeast Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Golden King
Lithodes aequispinus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Alaska, Northeast Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea (Aleutian Islands)
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Red King
Paralithodes camtschaticus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Alaska, Northeast Pacific Ocean: Bristol Bay
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Red King
Paralithodes camtschaticus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Norway - Arctic Sea: Barents Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Australia - Eastern Indian Ocean: Spencer Gulf
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Population is healthy and overfishing is not occurring.
Bycatch and habitat: Fishery incurs minimal bycatch and harvest method has minimal impacts on seafloor habitat.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
Canada - Northwest Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of St. Lawrence (Gulf Mgmt. region)
Overall Rating
Summary
This recommendation used the exact scores provided in Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Report for Atlantic Rock crab (Gulf Mgmt. region Gulf of St. Lawrence - Trap) for Criteria 1, 3, and 4. For detailed information on these sections, please refer to the original report. In addition to these scores, Ocean Wise independently reviewed and assessed Criterion 2 for the directed rock crab (Cancer irroratus) fishery in Northumberland Strait (LFAs 25 and 26A), as the bycatch component of the original report is not reflective of the directed fishery in this area. Specifically, we have determined that for LFAs 25 and 26A, there is sufficient evidence to suggest this fishery poses no more than a negligible threat to two species listed in the original
report: Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and leatherback turtle turtles (Dermochelys coriacea). This Ocean Wise recommendation is valid until the retirement of the above Seafood Watch Report, or sufficient information to improve our understanding of bycatch in this fishery becomes available.
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Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Arched Swimming
Callinectes arcuatus
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
Mexico - Sinaloa, Eastern Central Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status is unknown.
Habitat: Seafloor impacts are likely low, and management efforts to understand and protect the ecosystem are being planned.
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Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Arched Swimming
Callinectes arcuatus
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
Mexico - Sinaloa, Eastern Central Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status is unknown.
Habitat: Seafloor impacts are likely low, and management efforts to understand and protect the ecosystem are being planned.
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Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Australia - Eastern Indian Ocean: Shark Bay
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance and management: Population is depleted, but management measures are in place to help it recover.
Habitat: Crab pots used to catch blue swimmer crab cause low damage to the physical and biological structures of the seafloor.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Dungeness
Metacarcinus magister
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Canada - British Columbia, Northeast Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Variety
Crab, Dungeness
Metacarcinus magister
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Alaska , Northeast Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Peel Harvey Estuarine Fishery: Recreational and Commercial Blue Swimmer Crab and Commercial Sea Mullet
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Miscellaneous gear
Location
FAO Area 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)
Eco-Certification
Peel Harvey Estuarine Fishery: Recreational and Commercial Blue Swimmer Crab and Commercial Sea Mullet
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
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Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Australia West Coast Deep Sea Crab
Variety
Crab, Crystal
Chaceon albus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
FAO Area 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)
Eco-Certification
Australia West Coast Deep Sea Crab
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Peel Harvey Estuarine Fishery: Recreational and Commercial Blue Swimmer Crab and Commercial Sea Mullet
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Falling gear
Location
FAO Area 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)
Eco-Certification
Peel Harvey Estuarine Fishery: Recreational and Commercial Blue Swimmer Crab and Commercial Sea Mullet
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
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Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)
Eco-Certification
Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - SSMO Shetland Inshore Brown Crab and Velvet Crab and Scallop
Variety
Crab, Edible Rock
Cancer pagurus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification
SSMO Shetland Inshore Brown Crab and Velvet Crab and Scallop
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Russia Barents Sea Red King Crab
Variety
Crab, Red King
Paralithodes camtschaticus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification
Russia Barents Sea Red King Crab
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Scotian Shelf Snow Crab Trap
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)
Eco-Certification
Scotian Shelf Snow Crab Trap
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
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- Pots
Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)
Eco-Certification
Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab
Summary
ETP conditions surround gear interaction with right whales
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Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)
Eco-Certification
Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab
Summary
ETP conditions surround gear interaction with right whales
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Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)
Eco-Certification
Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab
Summary
ETP conditions surround gear interaction with right whales
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Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Southern Tanner
Chionoecetes bairdi
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
Learn more about harvest methods
- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
Learn more about harvest methods
- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Southern Tanner
Chionoecetes bairdi
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Southern King
Lithodes santolla
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Argentina - Southwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Southern Tanner
Chionoecetes bairdi
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Mississippi, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock is healthy and overfishing is not occurring.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are a species of concern.
Management: Conservation measures are in place for blue crab however regulations are lacking to protect terrapins.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - North Carolina, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status is unknown, but overfishing is unlikely.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are a species of concern.
Management: Conservation measures are in place for blue crab however regulations are lacking to protect terrapins.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Triangle Tanner
Chionoecetes angulatus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Red King
Paralithodes camtschaticus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Warty Swimming
Portunus haanii
Method
Wild
Bottom trawls
Location
China - Northwest Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Warty Swimming
Portunus haanii
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
China - Northwest Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Delaware , Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: The stock is healthy, and overfishing is a low concern.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are considered a species of concern.
Management: Delaware has strict measures to reduce the pot fishery's impacts on terrapins, but related policies and compliance need strengthening.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Maryland, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Chesapeake Bay
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: The stock is healthy, and overfishing is a low concern.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are considered a species of concern.
Management: Maryland has strict measures to reduce the pot fishery's impacts on terrapins, but related policies and compliance need strengthening.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Massachusetts, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Management : Regulations have been implemented to protect this species in state waters.
Bycatch: Information is lacking for the directed Atlantic rock crab fishery, but the lobster fishery is known to interact with or entangle marine mammals and other species of concern.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
Canada - Quebec, Northwest Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of St. Lawrence
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status is uncertain and fishing mortality rate unknown.
Bycatch: Information is lacking for the directed Atlantic rock crab fishery, but lobster fishery is known to interact with or entangle marine mammals and other species of concern.
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Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Triangle Tanner
Chionoecetes angulatus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Triangle Tanner
Chionoecetes angulatus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Connecticut , Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status unknown.
Management: There is little to no regulatory management in place to ensure fisheries are sustainable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Maine, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status unknown.
Management: There is little to no regulatory management in place to ensure fisheries are sustainable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Hanasaki
Paralithodes brevipes
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - New Hampshire, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status unknown.
Management: There is little to no regulatory management in place to ensure fisheries are sustainable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Hanasaki
Paralithodes brevipes
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Maryland, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status unknown.
Management: There is little to no regulatory management in place to ensure fisheries are sustainable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Beni-zuwai
Chionoecetes japonicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
Management: Assessment criterion given critical score. Russia has historically overfished king crabs. Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU) is a critical problem. It is impossible to know when any species of crab is caught legally because supply chain information is not reliable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - New York, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status unknown.
Management: There is little to no regulatory management in place to ensure fisheries are sustainable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Rhode Island, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status unknown.
Management: There is little to no regulatory management in place to ensure fisheries are sustainable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Virginia, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status unknown.
Management: There is little to no regulatory management in place to ensure fisheries are sustainable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Atlantic Rock
Cancer irroratus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - New Jersey, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status unknown.
Management: There is little to no regulatory management in place to ensure fisheries are sustainable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Florida, Western Central Atlantic Ocean (excluding U.S. Gulf of Mexico)
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Low, but overfishing is unlikely.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are ca species of concern.
Management: While the conservation measures for the target species are moderately effective, there are minimal regulations to protect terrapins.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Beni-zuwai
Chionoecetes japonicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
Management: Assessment criterion given critical score. Russia has historically overfished king crabs. Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU) is a critical problem. It is impossible to know when any species of crab is caught legally because supply chain information is not reliable.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Beni-zuwai
Chionoecetes japonicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
Management: Assessment criterion given critical score. Russia has historically overfished king crabs. Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU) is a critical problem. It is impossible to know when any species of crab is caught legally because supply chain information is not reliable.
Learn more about harvest methods
- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Red King
Paralithodes camtschaticus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Kegani
Erimacrus isenbeckii
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Texas, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock is healthy and overfishing is not occurring.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are a species of concern.
Management: Conservation measures are in place for blue crab however regulations are lacking to protect terrapins.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue King
Paralithodes platypus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
Management: Assessment criterion given critical score. Russia has historically overfished king crabs. Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU) is a critical problem. It is impossible to know when any species of crab is caught legally because supply chain information is not reliable.
Learn more about harvest methods
- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue King
Paralithodes platypus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
Management: Assessment criterion given critical score. Russia has historically overfished king crabs. Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU) is a critical problem. It is impossible to know when any species of crab is caught legally because supply chain information is not reliable.
Learn more about harvest methods
- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Louisiana, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock is healthy and overfishing is not occurring.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are a species of concern.
Management: Conservation measures are in place for blue crab however regulations are lacking to protect terrapins.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Georgia, Western Central Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status is unknown, but overfishing is unlikely.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are a species of concern.
Management: Conservation measures are in place for blue crab however regulations are lacking to protect terrapins.
Learn more about harvest methods
- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Florida, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Low, but overfishing is unlikely.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are ca species of concern.
Management: While the conservation measures for the target species are moderately effective, there are minimal regulations to protect terrapins.
Learn more about harvest methods
- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue King
Paralithodes platypus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
Management: Assessment criterion given critical score. Russia has historically overfished king crabs. Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU) is a critical problem. It is impossible to know when any species of crab is caught legally because supply chain information is not reliable.
Learn more about harvest methods
- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Bottom trawls
Location
Australia - Eastern Indian Ocean: Shark Bay
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance and management: Population is depleted, however management measures are in place to help it recover.
Bycatch: Fishery incurs high amounts of bycatch including turtles and other at-risk species.
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Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Kegani
Erimacrus isenbeckii
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Kegani
Erimacrus isenbeckii
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Red King
Paralithodes camtschaticus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - South Carolina, Western Central Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock status is unknown, but overfishing is unlikely.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are a species of concern.
Management: Conservation measures are in place for blue crab however regulations are lacking to protect terrapins.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Virginia, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Chesapeake Bay
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock is healthy and overfishing is not occurring.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are a species of concern.
Management: Conservation measures are in place for blue crab however regulations are lacking to protect terrapins.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Alabama, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock is healthy, and overfishing is a low concern.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are a species of concern.
Management: Management has some regulations (e.g.closed areas to crab fishing), which help to reduce impacts on terrapins.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue
Callinectes sapidus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - New Jersey, Northwest Atlantic Ocean: Delaware Bay
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Stock is healthy, and overfishing is a low concern.
Bycatch: There are serious concerns about the catch of diamondback terrapins, which are a species of concern.
Management: The commercial fishery has some effective management to prevent bycatch with all harvestors required to use terrapin bycatch reduction devices.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Philippines - Palawan, Western Central Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Philippines - Western Central Pacific Ocean: Visayan Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Viet Nam - Western Central Pacific Ocean: Gulf of Thailand
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Thailand - Western Central Pacific Ocean: Gulf of Thailand
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Jonah
Cancer borealis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - New Jersey, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Jonah
Cancer borealis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - New York, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Thailand - Eastern Indian Ocean: Andaman Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Florida Stone
Menippe mercenaria
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Florida, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico
Overall Rating
Summary
Stock status: Overfishing likely occurring – crabs are returned to water alive after having claws removed and are unlikely to survive.
Management: No measures currently in place to prevent overfishing.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Florida Stone
Menippe mercenaria
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Florida, Western Central Atlantic Ocean (excluding U.S. Gulf of Mexico)
Overall Rating
Summary
Stock status: Overfishing likely occurring – crabs are returned to water alive after having claws removed and are unlikely to survive.
Management: No measures currently in place to prevent overfishing.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Hanasaki
Paralithodes brevipes
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Gulf Stone
Menippe adina
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Florida, Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico
Overall Rating
Summary
Stock status: Overfishing likely occurring – crabs are returned to water alive after having claws removed and are unlikely to survive.
Management: No measures currently in place to prevent overfishing.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Gulf Stone
Menippe adina
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Florida, Western Central Atlantic Ocean (excluding U.S. Gulf of Mexico)
Overall Rating
Summary
Stock status: Overfishing likely occurring – crabs are returned to water alive after having claws removed and are unlikely to survive.
Management: No measures currently in place to prevent overfishing.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Golden King
Lithodes aequispinus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Golden King
Lithodes aequispinus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Chinese Mitten
Eriocheir sinensis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Chinese Mitten
Eriocheir sinensis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Japan
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Chinese Mitten
Eriocheir sinensis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Bering Sea
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Golden King
Lithodes aequispinus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Russian Federation - Northwest Pacific Ocean: Sea of Okhotsk
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Jonah
Cancer borealis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Rhode Island, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Australia - Queensland, Western Central Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Abundance: Population's status is uncertain due to limited assessment information.
Bycatch: Incidental catch of green turtles is a serious concern. This species is listed as "Vulnerable" under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and management measures are needed to reduce bycatch of vulnerable species.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Jonah
Cancer borealis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Virginia, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Dungeness
Metacarcinus magister
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Oregon , Northeast Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Stock status: Dungeness crab have low inherent vulnerability due to early age at reproductive maturity, high fecundity, and short life span, compared to fish and shellfish stocks worldwide. There is however some conservation concern because although landings data indicate that targeted stocks are not overfished, stock abundance is uncertain.
Bycatch: Fishery known to entangle humpback whales, new management in place to address concern but effectiveness not yet known.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Indonesia - Jawa, Eastern Indian Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Bottom trawls
Location
India - Western Indian Ocean
Overall Rating
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Bottom trawls
Location
India - Eastern Indian Ocean
Overall Rating
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Jonah
Cancer borealis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - New Hampshire, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Jonah
Cancer borealis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Connecticut , Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Jonah
Cancer borealis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Massachusetts, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Dungeness
Metacarcinus magister
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - California, Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Stock status: Dungeness crab have low inherent vulnerability due to early age at reproductive maturity, high fecundity, and short life span, compared to fish and shellfish stocks worldwide. There is however some conservation concern because although landings data indicate that targeted stocks are not overfished, stock abundance is uncertain.
Bycatch: Fishery known to entangle humpback whales, new management in place to address concern but effectiveness not yet known.
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Jonah
Cancer borealis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Maine, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Jonah
Cancer borealis
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Maryland, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Dungeness
Metacarcinus magister
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
U.S. - Washington , Northeast Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
Stock status: Dungeness crab have low inherent vulnerability due to early age at reproductive maturity, high fecundity, and short life span, compared to fish and shellfish stocks worldwide. There is however some conservation concern because although landings data indicate that targeted stocks are not overfished, stock abundance is uncertain.
Bycatch: Fishery known to entangle humpback whales, new management in place to address concern but effectiveness not yet known.
Learn more about harvest methods
- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Indonesia - Sumatera, Eastern Indian Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Variety
Crab, Blue Swimming
Portunus pelagicus
Method
Wild
Pots
Location
Indonesia - Sulawesi, Western Central Pacific Ocean
Overall Rating
Summary
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- Pots
Not Recommended
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Gulf of St Lawrence snow crab trap
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)
Eco-Certification
Gulf of St Lawrence snow crab trap
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery is currently suspended in the MSC assessment process due risk of mortality by the fishery on endangered North Atlantic right whales.
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Not Recommended
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Russia Barents Sea Opilio Trap
Variety
Crab, Snow
Chionoecetes opilio
Method
Wild
Pots and/or traps and/or trap nets
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification
Russia Barents Sea Opilio Trap
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery does not meet conservation standards to become OWS recommended as it has an open condition regarding endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species.