Sustainably harvested
From the Icy Waters of the Northwest
Sablefish habitats are in the deep, cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean. These fish can be found swimming from the eastern coast of Russia to the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, but the most significant populations are in the Gulf of Alaska and the northwestern coasts of Canada and the United States. Sablefish live at depths up to 600 fathoms on the dark, nutrient-rich ocean floor.
Harvesting Methods
Fixed gear equipment is widely used in the sablefish fishery due to its effectiveness, sustainability, and ability to produce a high-quality catch. The two types of fixed gear most commonly used are longline and pots.
Slinky Pots & Traps: These are small, cylindrical netted devices with openings that allow sablefish to enter but not escape. They are baited and deployed on the ocean floor along a line strung between two buoys, then left for a period of time to allow sablefish to enter. Once the pots are full, they are hauled aboard and harvested by hand.
Longlines: This gear consists of a main line that can be several miles long, with shorter lines attached at regular intervals-- each line ends with a baited hook. The longline is set on the ocean floor, anchored at both ends and marked with buoys. Longlines are left in place for several hours, allowing sablefish to take the bait, and then it is hauled back aboard to retrieve the catch.
The advantages of fixed gear:
Selectivity: Fixed gear equipment is more selective, minimizing the impact on non-target species.
Sustainability: These methods are considered more sustainable compared to some other fishing methods, as they cause less habitat destruction and allow for more targeted fishing.
Quality of Catch: The more controlled harvesting process helps maintain the quality of the sablefish, and fish are less likely to be damaged compared to methods like trawling.
Certified Sustainable
Sablefish caught with fixed gear in the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea, and the Aleutian Islands have been MSC certified since 2006, and, more recently, in Chatham Strait since 2022. Fishermen working in the Alaskan fixed gear sablefish fishery have prioritized sustainability and resource conservation since the fishery’s beginnings. That is why they maintain an MSC certification to help ensure it will be there for generations to come.
Fishermen continue to invest in the fishery’s future with an MSC certification in Washington, Oregon and California. Currently, a third-party scientific team is conducting an audit to ensure this fishery meets the MSC Standards. This process takes about a year and costs upward of $100,000. Fixed gear sablefish harvesters are personally funding the scientific audit required for the MSC certification, demonstrating their commitment to protecting the resource.