Sablefish

Skilfish, Skil, Coalfish, Sable, Black cod, Gindara

Gindara

Sablefish can be found in deep water sandy bottom habitats throughout the North Pacific ranging as far west as Japan, north to the Bering Sea and south to central Baja California. Their centre of abundance is primarily the Gulf of Alaska extending into northern British Columbia. Most sablefish captured in Canada are caught year-round using traps (70%) and longlines (30%). They are a SeaChoice “Best Choice” as the bycatch rate is low and the management includes 100% observer coverage on all sets, dockside monitoring, and scientifically derived catch limits.

Although sablefish are very long-lived they have a low inherent vulnerability to fishing pressure based on age of maturity, growth rates, and fecundity (which increases with female size).

This criterion is given a “yellow” ranking due to low abundance and a “fully fished” population. There is no indication that the stock is overfished and the total allowable catches are based on the probabilities that the spawning biomass will increase under the recommended yields.

Approximately 90% of Sablefish in Canada’s Pacific are caught by traps and longlines, each of which has different levels of bycatch. While traps generally have lower levels of bycatch than longlines, both of these gear types in the Canadian Sablefish fishery are ranked as a low conservation concern.

Traps and longlines are considered to have moderate impacts on bottom habitat. Sablefish are found in deep, sandy habitats which are considered moderately resilient to fishing gear impacts, ecosystem impacts from sablefish traps and longlining have not been demonstrated.

Overall, the sablefish fishery seems to be well managed. Stock assessments are thorough and robust and the fishery receives considerable at-sea and dockside monitoring.

Where was this sablefish caught?

How was this sablefish caught?

Contaminant levels do not warrant a consumption advisory.

Yes. The Canadian sablefish fishery operating within the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of British Columbia was certified by the MSC on July 29, 2010.