Illustration of Halibut

Halibut

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Seafood Variety

Harvest Method

Regions

Ocean Wise Recommended

Ocean Wise

Variety

Halibut, Atlantic

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Method

Farmed

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (Indoor Tanks With Wastewater Treatment)

Location

Worldwide

Overall Rating

6.91 / 10

Market Names

Halibut, Hirame

Summary

The Ocean Wise recommendation for this seafood variety comes from a global assessment of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) across species. This global report was possible because many aspects of RAS (i.e. the fundamental characteristics of the aquaculture method) are similar regardless of the species cultured. Should a species specific assessment exists for this aquaculture method, this report will take precedent for an Ocean Wise recommendation.


Note: All Ocean Wise recommendations for recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) apply only to seafood products grown exclusively in RAS facilities through harvest at the end of grow out. It does not apply to seafood products that were raised in RAS hatcheries and transitioned to other production systems for the grow out period.


Escapes: RAS is a land based aquaculture method where production occurs in buildings and tanks. In addition, tank-based RAS utilize multiple screens and secondary capture devises. In combination, this setup ensures physical separation of the culture area from the natural environment minimizing the risk of escapes.


Disease: Disease transmission to the wild is low. RAS discharge limited volumes of water and have the ability to control and treat all discharges. Many facilities utilize ozonation and UV irradiation to disinfect water and maintain water quality.


Feed: Feed use and subsequent environmental impacts are highly species-specific, with some species requiring high levels of fishmeal and fish oil in their diets, which is often sourced from wild capture fisheries, while others can be grown commercially on a feed containing no animal ingredients. There are ongoing advancements in aquaculture feeds (particularly reductions in the use of fishmeal and fish oil) and their efficiency of use (i.e., the feed conversion ratio, FCR), making this an area of continued improvement for RAS operations.

Learn more about harvest methods

Ocean Wise Recommended

Ocean Wise

Variety

Halibut, Atlantic

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Method

Farmed

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (Indoor Tanks Without Wastewater Treatment)

Location

Worldwide

Overall Rating

6.63 / 10

Market Names

Halibut, Hirame

Summary

The Ocean Wise recommendation for this seafood variety comes from a global assessment of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) across species. This global report was possible because many aspects of RAS (i.e. the fundamental characteristics of the aquaculture method) are similar regardless of the species cultured. Should a species specific assessment exists for this aquaculture method, this report will take precedent for an Ocean Wise recommendation.


Note: All Ocean Wise recommendations for recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) apply only to seafood products grown exclusively in RAS facilities through harvest at the end of grow out. It does not apply to seafood products that were raised in RAS hatcheries and transitioned to other production systems for the grow out period.


Escapes: RAS is a land based aquaculture method where production occurs in buildings and tanks. In addition, tank-based RAS utilize multiple screens and secondary capture devises. In combination, this setup ensures physical separation of the culture area from the natural environment minimizing the risk of escapes.


Disease: Disease transmission to the wild is low. RAS discharge limited volumes of water and have the ability to control and treat all discharges. Many facilities utilize ozonation and UV irradiation to disinfect water and maintain water quality.


Feed: Feed use and subsequent environmental impacts are highly species-specific, with some species requiring high levels of fishmeal and fish oil in their diets, which is often sourced from wild capture fisheries, while others can be grown commercially on a feed containing no animal ingredients. There are ongoing advancements in aquaculture feeds (particularly reductions in the use of fishmeal and fish oil) and their efficiency of use (i.e., the feed conversion ratio, FCR), making this an area of continued improvement for RAS operations.

Learn more about harvest methods

Ocean Wise Recommended

Ocean Wise

Eco-Certification:

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - US North Pacific halibut and sablefish

Variety

Halibut, Pacific

Hippoglossus stenolepis

Method

Wild

Longlines

Location

FAO Area 67 (Pacific, Northeast)

Eco-Certification

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
US North Pacific halibut and sablefish

Market Names

Halibut, Hirame

Summary

Learn more about harvest methods

Ocean Wise Recommended

Ocean Wise

Eco-Certification:

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Canada Atlantic Halibut

Variety

Halibut, Atlantic

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Method

Wild

Handlines and Pole-and-Lines (Hand-Operated)

Location

FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)

Eco-Certification

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Canada Atlantic Halibut

Market Names

Halibut, Hirame

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.

Learn more about harvest methods

Ocean Wise Recommended

Ocean Wise

Eco-Certification:

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Canada Atlantic Halibut

Variety

Halibut, Atlantic

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Method

Wild

Longlines

Location

FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)

Eco-Certification

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Canada Atlantic Halibut

Market Names

Halibut, Hirame

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.

Learn more about harvest methods

Ocean Wise Recommended

Ocean Wise

Eco-Certification:

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Canada Pacific Halibut (British Columbia)

Variety

Halibut, Pacific

Hippoglossus stenolepis

Method

Wild

Longlines

Location

FAO Area 67 (Pacific, Northeast)

Eco-Certification

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Canada Pacific Halibut (British Columbia)

Market Names

Halibut, Hirame

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.

Learn more about harvest methods

Ocean Wise Recommended

Ocean Wise

Eco-Certification:

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Canada Atlantic Halibut

Variety

Halibut, Atlantic

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Method

Wild

Trawls (Bottom / Demersal)

Location

FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)

Eco-Certification

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Canada Atlantic Halibut

Market Names

Halibut, Hirame

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 meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.

Learn more about harvest methods

Ocean Wise Recommended

Ocean Wise

Eco-Certification:

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Canada Atlantic Halibut

Variety

Halibut, Atlantic

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Method

Wild

Gillnets

Location

FAO Area 21 (Atlantic, Northwest)

Eco-Certification

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Canada Atlantic Halibut

Market Names

Halibut, Hirame

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.

Learn more about harvest methods

Ocean Wise Recommended

Ocean Wise

Eco-Certification:

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Western Bering Sea Pacific cod and Pacific halibut longline

Variety

Halibut, Pacific

Hippoglossus stenolepis

Method

Wild

Longlines

Location

FAO Area 61 (Pacific, Northwest), FAO Area 67 (Pacific, Northeast)

Eco-Certification

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Western Bering Sea Pacific cod and Pacific halibut longline

Market Names

Halibut, Hirame

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. This Fishery has a Principle 2 score is less than 84.5.

Learn more about harvest methods