NIPSG HERRING
Two certificates, including the First certified fishery in the Irish Sea
Managed by the Northern Irish Pelagic Sustainability Group (NIPSG), these two certificates cover herring in the Irish Sea and North Sea. NIPSG represents the pelagic members of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organization (ANIFPO) and the Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation (NIFPO).
Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) is one of the most abundant fish species in the world and has been fished in the Irish Sea since the Middle Ages. The North Sea certificate includes mackerel, which is currently suspended.
These fisheries target herring using only three boats – pelagic trawlers – with fishing taking place mainly during the hours of darkness. Their boats, Voyager, Stephanie M and Havilah, are all over 49 metres long and equipped with state of the art technology that allow them to be very precise with the species they catch. This means that there is little or no bycatch, thanks to the use of sonar, net and catch monitors, and no contact with the seabed.
The Irish Sea fishery operates from August to December, with the total catch at just over 5,200 metric tons of herring. The North Sea herring is typically fished between October and December around the Shetland Isles and to the east of Scotland.
The key markets for supply are Germany and Poland, with small quantities retained in the UK where they are smoked to produce kippers.
"We are delighted to have gained this certification, which helps secure existing markets for Irish Sea herring and has the potential to create new opportunities. Indeed this good news should provide a boost to all our fishermen in the Irish Sea, who have made tremendous sacrifices in terms of achieving sustainable fisheries.
We are indebted to all those involved with this process, including the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland who provided funding through the European Fisheries Fund."
Alan McCulla OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO)
CATCHING HERRING
The fisheries use mid-water trawls which have no contact with the seabed. Acoustic technology is used to locate the position and depth of the target fish and the path of the boat(s) and trawls are adjusted accordingly. Click on the image below to learn more.
HERRING: DIVE DEEPER
To find out more about these fisheries or see HERRING recipes, check out the links below.
Irish Sea Fishery factsheet
Irish Sea Fishery factsheet
Smoked herring shakshuka
Smoked herring shakshuka
Herring lentil salad
Herring lentil salad
North sea fishery factsheet
North sea fishery factsheet
BUY MSC CERTIFIED HERRING
MSC labelled herring sold in over 40 countries around the world.
CONTACT THE FISHERIES
Click on the icons below to visit the fisheries' websites or follow them on social media (TBU)
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