The Canadian Sablefish Association takes pride in protecting BC Sablefish for future generations, managing the Sablefish resource sustainably and taking steps to respect the habitat where we fish.
Sustainability by Design
The Canadian Sablefish Association prioritizes preservation of the BC Sablefish stock and long-term sustainable use over short-term economic gains. Precautionary fisheries management involves systems that measure catches and abundance, rules that determine how catches should be adjusted in relation to stock and fishery monitoring data, and enforcement of management actions. The Sablefish management system includes these core requirements for fisheries sustainability:
- Specific objectives for abundance and fishing pressure.
- Monitoring of fishing pressure for Sablefish via 100% at-sea electronic monitoring of retained and released catch coupled with 100% dockside validation of landings. Monitoring of Sablefish abundance via an annual fishery-independent Sablefish survey.
- Stock assessments to determine if management targets are being met according to pre-determined performance metrics. Regular updating alternative models of uncertain Sablefish stock and fishery dynamics to reflect new knowledge and data.
- Feedback control via application of a simulation-tested management procedure that adjusts fishing pressure in response to the assessments of stock trend, and
- Enforcement systems to assure compliance with regulations via catch monitoring in and the activities of DFO’s Conservation and Protection Branch.
Sustainability by Design
The Canadian Sablefish Association prioritizes preservation of the BC Sablefish stock and long-term sustainable use over short-term economic gains. Precautionary fisheries management involves systems that measure catches and abundance, rules that determine how catches should be adjusted in relation to stock and fishery monitoring data, and enforcement of management actions. The Sablefish management system includes these core requirements for fisheries sustainability:
- Specific objectives for abundance and fishing pressure.
- Monitoring of fishing pressure for Sablefish via 100% at-sea electronic monitoring of retained and released catch coupled with 100% dockside validation of landings. Monitoring of Sablefish abundance via an annual fishery-independent Sablefish survey.
- Stock assessments to determine if management targets are being met according to pre-determined performance metrics. Regular updating alternative models of uncertain Sablefish stock and fishery dynamics to reflect new knowledge and data.
- Feedback control via application of a simulation-tested management procedure that adjusts fishing pressure in response to the assessments of stock trend, and
- Enforcement systems to assure compliance with regulations via catch monitoring in and the activities of DFO’s Conservation and Protection Branch.
The reasons why sustainability is our mandate
In 1981 Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) placed controls on the fishery, limiting it to the 48 existing licences and implementing an annual quota or total allowable catch (TAC) for the season. Under this management approach there was a compelling incentive for each fisherman to continually strive for increased catching power through bigger and better boats and gear in order to catch as much fish as possible before the fishery closed. The intensity of the competition grew and the fleet became more and more efficient. By the late 1980’s the small fleet could harvest the entire TAC in a matter of a few weeks.
This gave rise to problems controlling the catches of such a high-capacity fleet and concern over the manageability of the fishery. And with vessels fishing around the clock in all kinds of weather serious safety concerns arose for vessels and crews pushing the limits of their fishing operations. Change was needed.
The reasons why sustainability is our mandate
In 1981 Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) placed controls on the fishery, limiting it to the 48 existing licences and implementing an annual quota or total allowable catch (TAC) for the season. Under this management approach there was a compelling incentive for each fisherman to continually strive for increased catching power through bigger and better boats and gear in order to catch as much fish as possible before the fishery closed. The intensity of the competition grew and the fleet became more and more efficient. By the late 1980’s the small fleet could harvest the entire TAC in a matter of a few weeks.
This gave rise to problems controlling the catches of such a high-capacity fleet and concern over the manageability of the fishery. And with vessels fishing around the clock in all kinds of weather serious safety concerns arose for vessels and crews pushing the limits of their fishing operations. Change was needed.
We changed the Sablefish industry
In 1987 Sablefish fishermen formed the Canadian Sablefish Association (CSA), to collaborate with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to protect the long-term sustainability of the Sablefish fishery. In 1990 the Sablefish fishery switched from a fleet-wide quota system to an Individual Vessel Quota (IVQ) system where each fisherman was allocated a share of the TAC to catch any time throughout the season.
Under the IVQ system, long-term sustainability became a tangible concern to each fisherman because the value of their investment was measured in the health of the Sablefish resource, not in their immediate catch. The incentive, under IVQ management, turned to maximizing net income from the annual share allocated to each vessel. If a fisherman exceeded his vessel’s annual allocation, he would receive less in the following year. With the “race for fish” eliminated, fishermen gained more control over factors that affect the value of the fish, such as seasonal supply and seafood quality.
IVQ management was also the focal point for significant improvements in co-management in the Sablefish fishery. The CSA and DFO both share the same primary objective – the proper care and management of the Sablefish resource. Both groups are committed to this shared objective and making sure there are sufficient resources available to carry out the necessary scientific research and stock assessment work and for the monitoring, enforcement, administration and management of the fishery.
We changed the Sablefish industry
In 1987 Sablefish fishermen formed the Canadian Sablefish Association (CSA), to collaborate with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to protect the long-term sustainability of the Sablefish fishery. In 1990 the Sablefish fishery switched from a fleet-wide quota system to an Individual Vessel Quota (IVQ) system where each fisherman was allocated a share of the TAC to catch any time throughout the season.
Under the IVQ system, long-term sustainability became a tangible concern to each fisherman because the value of their investment was measured in the health of the Sablefish resource, not in their immediate catch. The incentive, under IVQ management, turned to maximizing net income from the annual share allocated to each vessel. If a fisherman exceeded his vessel’s annual allocation, he would receive less in the following year. With the “race for fish” eliminated, fishermen gained more control over factors that affect the value of the fish, such as seasonal supply and seafood quality.
IVQ management was also the focal point for significant improvements in co-management in the Sablefish fishery. The CSA and DFO both share the same primary objective – the proper care and management of the Sablefish resource. Both groups are committed to this shared objective and making sure there are sufficient resources available to carry out the necessary scientific research and stock assessment work and for the monitoring, enforcement, administration and management of the fishery.
Partners in fisheries sustainability
Natural ecosystems like the northeast Pacific Ocean are highly dynamic so fisheries sustainability, as a goal, is a moving target. The Canadian Sablefish Association believes that a fishery management process that takes uncertainty into account with a primary goal of maintaining healthy and productive stocks will remain sustainable regardless of the ups and downs that are characteristic of natural systems. That is why in 2006 the CSA partnered with DFO to develop our management strategy evaluation approach to designing a Sablefish harvest strategy.
Partners in fisheries sustainability
Natural ecosystems like the northeast Pacific Ocean are highly dynamic so fisheries sustainability, as a goal, is a moving target. The Canadian Sablefish Association believes that a fishery management process that takes uncertainty into account with a primary goal of maintaining healthy and productive stocks will remain sustainable regardless of the ups and downs that are characteristic of natural systems. That is why in 2006 the CSA partnered with DFO to develop our management strategy evaluation approach to designing a Sablefish harvest strategy.
Risks and Benefits
The Canadian Sablefish Association continually enhances its knowledge of the abundance, productivity, and conservation status of Sablefish stocks. The Canadian Sablefish Association carefully considers the risks and consequences of alternative management actions to continue to promote a healthy BC Sablefish stock and productive fishery. This can only be achieved over time by intensive data gathering and analysis. This investment means:
The British Columbia Sablefish fishery meets Canadian and worldwide standards in fisheries science, management and sustainable use.
Wild Canadian Sablefish is a high quality, high value fish product coveted by chefs and consumers for its ease of preparation, delicate flavor and health benefits.
The Sablefish fishery benefits Canadians by supporting a diversity of BC families and communities up and down the coast, creating economic exports globally, and providing tax revenues both locally and nationally.
Risks and Benefits
The Canadian Sablefish Association continually enhances its knowledge of the abundance, productivity, and conservation status of Sablefish stocks. The Canadian Sablefish Association carefully considers the risks and consequences of alternative management actions to continue to promote a healthy BC Sablefish stock and productive fishery. This can only be achieved over time by intensive data gathering and analysis. This investment means:
The British Columbia Sablefish fishery meets Canadian and worldwide standards in fisheries science, management and sustainable use.
Wild Canadian Sablefish is a high quality, high value fish product coveted by chefs and consumers for its ease of preparation, delicate flavor and health benefits.
The Sablefish fishery benefits Canadians by supporting a diversity of BC families and communities up and down the coast, creating economic exports globally, and providing tax revenues both locally and nationally.
