FOOD CERTIFICATION INTERNATIONAL LTD Findhorn House, Dochfour Business Centre, Dochgarroch, Inverness, IV3 8GY, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1463 223 039 Fax: +44 (0) 1463 246 380 www.foodcertint.com MSC SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES CERTIFICATION The SSMO Shetland inshore brown & velvet crab, lobster and scallop fishery Final Report December 2011 Prepared For: Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) Prepared By: Food Certification International Ltd version 1.3 (06/01/11) FOOD CERTIFICATION INTERNATIONAL LTD Final Report December 2011 Authors: Dr Antonio Hervás, Ms Fiona Nimmo, Mr Tristan Southall, Mr Paul Macintyre Certification Body: Client: Food Certification International Ltd Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) Address: Address: Findhorn House Stewart Building Dochfour Business Centre Lerwick Dochgarroch Shetland Inverness IV3 8GY ZE2 9RW Scotland, UK UK Name: Melissa McFadden Name: Jennifer Mouat Tel: +44(0)1463 223 039 Tel: +44(0)1595 696 284 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.foodcertint.com MSC SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES December 2011 Final Report – SSMO Shetland inshore brown & velvet crab, lobster and scallop FOOD CERTIFICATION INTERNATIONAL LTD Contents Glossary of Terms ......................................................................................................................... i Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 Scope ............................................................................................................................................ 4 1.2 Report Structure ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Inspections & Consultations ......................................................................................................... 5 2. The Fishery .............................................................................................................................. 6 2.1 The Unit of Certification ............................................................................................................... 6 2.1.1 Rationale for Using Unit of Certification ............................................................................................... 7 2.2 Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) ................................................................ 8 2.3 Fishing Fleet and Fishing Methods ............................................................................................... 9 2.3.1 The Fishing Fleet ................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.2 Fishing Methods .................................................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Target species ............................................................................................................................. 11 2.4.1 Lifecycle............................................................................................................................................... 11 2.5 Catches & Landings ..................................................................................................................... 13 3. Target Stock Status & Harvest Controls (P1) ............................................................................ 17 3.1 Stock Status ................................................................................................................................ 17 3.2 Management Strategy ................................................................................................................ 32 3.3 Harvest Control Rules ................................................................................................................. 35 3.4 Information and Monitoring ....................................................................................................... 44 3.5 Assessment of Stock Status ........................................................................................................ 47 3.5.1 Length Cohort Analysis (LCA) .............................................................................................................. 47 3.5.2 Virtual Population Analysis (LCA) ........................................................................................................ 47 3.5.3 Standardisation of Landing per Unit Effort data ................................................................................. 48 3.5.4 Stock Indicators used in the assessment of Shetland shellfish stocks ................................................ 48 4. Environmental Elements (P2) .................................................................................................. 50 4.1 Retained species ......................................................................................................................... 50 4.1.1 Creels .................................................................................................................................................. 50 4.1.2 Scallop dredging .................................................................................................................................. 51 4.2 Bycatch (including discarding) .................................................................................................... 53 4.2.1 Creels .................................................................................................................................................. 53 4.2.2 Scallop dredging .................................................................................................................................. 54 4.3 Endangered, threatened or protected species (ETP) ................................................................. 55 MSC SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES December 2011 Final Report – SSMO Shetland inshore brown & velvet crab, lobster and scallop FOOD CERTIFICATION INTERNATIONAL LTD 4.3.1 Interaction of creels with ETP species ................................................................................................ 55 4.3.2 Interaction of scallop dredging with ETP species ................................................................................ 57 4.4 Habitat ........................................................................................................................................ 57 4.4.1 Habitat distribution ............................................................................................................................. 57 4.4.2 Creel habitat interactions ................................................................................................................... 61 4.4.3 Scallop dredging habitat interactions ................................................................................................. 63 4.5 Ecosystem impacts ..................................................................................................................... 64 5. Administrative context (P3) .................................................................................................... 65 5.1 Legislative Framework ................................................................................................................ 65 5.2 Roles & Responsibilities .............................................................................................................. 66 5.2.1 Management Body .............................................................................................................................. 66 5.2.2 Industry Representation ..................................................................................................................... 67 5.2.3 Scientific Advice .................................................................................................................................. 67 5.2.4 Monitoring Control and Enforcement ................................................................................................ 68 5.3 Strategic Direction ...................................................................................................................... 68 6. Background to the Evaluation ................................................................................................ 70 6.1 Assessment Team ....................................................................................................................... 70 6.1.1 Peer Reviewers ................................................................................................................................... 71 6.2 Public Consultation ..................................................................................................................... 71 6.3 Stakeholder Consultation ........................................................................................................... 71 6.4 Other Certification Evaluations & Harmonisation ...................................................................... 72 6.5 Previous Assessments ................................................................................................................. 73 6.6 Information Sources Used .........................................................................................................