Seafood Results

Summary

The Acadian redfish fishery started on the Northeastern US coast in the early 1930’s. Landings peaked at 56,000 mt in 1942 in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. The fishery declined during the 1950’s and 1960’s as a result of intense fishing pressure. Landings have remained low in recent years and in 2013, 4024 mt were caught. The stock is considered fully rebuilt from overfishing. Acadian redfish are often sold as “ocean perch” and should not be confused with redfish from the Gulf of Mexico.

Acadian redfish are managed as a single stock by the New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC). Fishery data is collected, reported, and used in stock assessments. Management has been effective in rebuilding the stock from an overfished state, and has taken measures to reduce illegal fishing and discard practices. As a result of effective management regulations, the stock rebuilt and recovered in 2012.

Acadian redfish are found in structurally complex and rocky habitats. As bottom trawls drag on the ocean floor, they cause damage to the biogenic and non-biogenic habitat structures. Acadian redfish can also be found in sensitive cold-water coral habitats that fall outside protected areas and are vulnerable to damage from bottom trawls. An ecosystem-based management plan is currently being developed. Bottom trawls are a non-selective method of fishing. The main bycatch species caught in the Acadian redfish fishery are spiny dogfish, sublegal-sized Acadian redfish, and Pollock. Marine mammals may also be occasionally caught. Discarded Acadian redfish do not survive due to lethal barotrauma when brought to the surface of the water.

Learn more about harvest methods

• Bottom trawl

Summary

Ocean Wise recommends some Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries, but not all. Learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise.

Learn more about harvest methods

• Bottom trawl

Summary

Ocean Wise recommends some Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries, but not all. Learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise.

Learn more about harvest methods

• Bottom longline
• Bottom trawl
• Danish seine
• Gillnet
• Handline
• Nephrops trawl

Summary

Ocean Wise recommends some Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries, but not all. Learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise.

Learn more about harvest methods

• Bottom trawl
• Midwater trawl

Summary

Ocean Wise recommends some Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries, but not all. Learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise.

Learn more about harvest methods

• Bottom trawl