MSC PRE-ASSESSMENT: SOUTHERN RED KING CRAB FISHERY (Lithodes santolla) Experimental Development Fishery in Provincial and Federal Waters - 2008 CONFIDENTIAL REPORT

POTTINGER,PETER; SÁNCHEZ DE BOCK, MARIANA; DOLDAN, MARÍA DEL SOCORRO; LANDA, PEDRO

2008-08-01/2008-10-30

1-105

Biológica

Recursos naturales renovables

This report has been prepared at the request of the Client (CONFIDENTIAL) as part of the pre-certification process for  the Southern Red King Crab (Lithodes santolla) on the Argentine Continental Platform waters, from 36ºS to 48ºS to the mid shelf. The report is based on a Report provided by the Client, (CONFIDENTIAL) and research of relevant Federal and Provincial legislation, regulations, and the available technical and scientific literature by the authors of this report, in relation to the requirements of the three Principles and their associated Criteria of the Marine Stewardship Council (hereafter referred to as the MSC). This was essential in order to provide a well informed basis for a fair pre-evaluation of this fishery. The Report requested to provide a technical (compared to an evaluation) review including the controversial area within the jurisdiction of Chubut and Santa Cruz Provinces, requested in December 2006, was received by the Certifier in August 2008. The report is evaluative and not technical.  The Pre-evaluation process specifically addresses:  •  Whether the fishery has a good chance to be considered as sustainable by a scientific team engaged for the Full Assessment, in the future.  To analyze this, the following steps were essential: ƒ  Identify whether the fishery overall is taking a precautionary approach to management of the resource in order to prevent over-fishing and ensure that viable populations of the species targeted are maintained. ƒ  To establish the client companies approach will ensure the sustainability of the fishery which they share with other operators. ƒ  Identify effects of the fishery on other commercial species; non-target species from within the fishery, endangered and icon species, the associated marine ecosystems and biodiversity within the fishery. ƒ  Evaluation of the level of management in relation to the needs of sustainable fisheries, including social, fishing methods and systems, monitoring and surveillance, legal and overall ecosystem aspects. Both at Management Authority and Fishery operator/company level. •  Identification of gaps within the fishery which could be of concern and should be considered and/or be addressed by the management of the fishery and/or the client before making a decision to proceed or not, to a Full Assessment leading to Certification of an MSC Sustainable Fishery.