FishSource

NE Atlantic Blue Whiting (FIP)

Last Updated: 2023-06-06

Progress Rating: D

Evaluation Start Date: 2021-10-01

Type: Basic

Status: Active

FIP Lead: North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA)

Stock Profile Link
Blue whiting - NE Atlantic

Comments:

The FIP is between 24-36 months old with recent stage 3 progress reported with the past 6 months. The FIP rating drops to D.

1. FIP Development	Apr 20	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 April 2020 — IFFO Pre-assessment made public
2. FIP Launch	Jun 21	Confirmation of project participants 1 June 2021 — Participants confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Oct 21	Workplan made public 1 October 2021 — Workplan made public
3. FIP Implementation	Apr 24	FIP activities undertaken 1 April 2024 — NAPA hosted a seminar at the North Atlantic Seafood Summit to present the issues and challenges affecting the blue whiting fishery and in-turn, the aquafeed and farmed salmon sector. 19 January 2024 — The FIP has sent several letters to Fisheries Ministers urging cooperation toward a quota sharing arrangement. 30 March 2022 — The third catching sector roundtable was held on March 30th, 2022; 23 pelagic fishing organizations were invited from all 7 coastal states 28 February 2022 — A position paper was produced by NAPA and circulated to the flag states 28 October 2021 — The coastal states held a meeting to discuss setting the 2022 TAC; the meeting concluded with the 2022 TAC set at 752,736 tonnes (19% lower than for 2021) for the blue whiting. The parties involved also agreed to establish three working groups to analyze and report on the stock and catch distribution of these stocks.
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	—	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public