Pollock: Walleye

Walleye pollock, Alaska pollock

Surimi (Imitation Crab)

Pollock reaches reproduction age quickly and produce large numbers of young which are traits that help them withstand fishing pressure. The current stock status, however, has fallen below sustainable yield thresholds. Typically, mid water trawls have a lesser impact marine habitat, but frequent contact with the seafloor is cause for concern given the size of the fishery. Pollock also acts as an important food source for several threatened marine mammals, and the removal of large quantities of pollock from the ecosystem is believed to be a contributing factor to their decline. The management of the Alaskan Pollock fishery is considered highly effective and have routinely set quotas at more conservative levels than recommended by scientific advisors.

Pollock is also used as a primary ingredient in many imitation crab products.

Pollock is considered inherently resilient to fishing pressure because it reaches reproduction age quickly and can produce many young.

In the Bering Sea, Pollock is the most abundant groundfish, however current biomass levels have fallen below sustainable yield thresholds. The stocks are not overfished, and overfishing is not occurring, but given the levels of biomass, the status of stocks is a moderate conservation concern.

The overall volume of bycatch is high, but the scale of the fishery is so large that the overall percentage is quite low in relation to the number of Pollock that are caught. Mid-water trawls are an unselective gear type, but this low percentage of bycatch represents a low conservation concern.

Mid-water trawls used in the Alaskan pollock fishery have been found to make frequent contact with the sea floor which is cause for concern given the size of the fishery. Pollock is an important prey for Stellar sea lions and Northern fur seals, and there is conflicting evidence about the role of the Pollock fishery in the decline of these threatened species.

The management in the Alaskan fishery is considered highly effective. Management measures include permit requirements, limited entry, time and area closures, quotas, gear restrictions, bycatch reduction measures, reporting requirements, and observer monitoring. This management is considered highly effective.

Yes. This fishery was certified by MSC in 2005.