SGS Product & Process Certification - Marine Stewardship Council

Condition 1: P1, 1.2.2 Harvest control rule (score 75).
Rationale: Although technical conservation measures are in place (minimum landing size and
mesh size controls) that seek to maximise yield per recruit, the HCRs that are in place do not
ensure that the exploitation rate is reduced as limit reference points are approached (with
respect to maximum sustainable yield, since recruitment is not stock-driven).
Condition: the client should liaise with management and research bodies to determine what
part they can play in the development of a harvest control rule that better ensures that the
exploitation rate on North Sea bass is reduced as limit reference points are approached.
Timescale: By first surveillance audit: written evidence is required of appropriate action by the
client towards management authorities and research institutes, and of their response.
Condition 2: P3, 3.2.1 Fishery specific objectives (score 70)
Rationale: There are clearly defined management objectives for Dutch North Sea fisheries in
general, but fishery-specific management objectives are not explicitly formulated for the sea
bass fishery (as a whole, in the North Sea). Condition: The client should liaise with the
relevant management authorities and scientists (IMARES and ICES) and encourage them to
develop specific objectives for this fishery, which would preferably also account for other fishing
metiers targeting sea bass, such as trawling and gill net fishing. The Client should also
formulate management objectives for the sea bass fishery within the VBHL management plan.
Timescale: By first surveillance audit, written evidence is required of appropriate action by
client to encourage the relevant management authorities to formulate management objectives
for the sea bass fishery, and to demonstrate that a management objective for the sea bass
fishery is incorporated within the VBHL management
Condition 3. P3, 3.2.2 Decision making process (score 70)
Rationale: Management systems for Dutch North Sea fisheries are well established and
generally effective, decision-making processes are well developed and fishery representatives
are regularly consulted by the relevant authorities. However, the rod and line fishery for bass is
a relatively small sector and is not represented by the National Fishermen‘s organisations.
Condition 3:The client should encourage the relevant management authorities to include the
UoC in formal decision-making processes,
Timescale: By first surveillance audit, written evidence is required of appropriate action by
client to encourage the relevant management authorities to develop a formal decision making
process for this fishery, and of their response.
By the third surveillance visit, evidence is required of the establishment of a more fisheryspecific
decision making-process.
Condition 4. P3, 3.2.5 Information and monitoring (score 75).
Rationale: Because fishery-specific management objectives are not explicitly formulated for
the rod and line sea bass fishery, there is no provision for evaluation of the fishery‘s
performance against objectives.
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