The mission of the Oregon Trawl Commission (OTC) is to enhance the image of the trawl industry and to increase opportunities, industry wide for a sustainable and profitable industry, though promotion, education, research and by initiating, tracking and commenting on legislation and regulations.
The Pacific hake mid-water trawl fishery, has earned Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification as a sustainable and well managed fishery. The fishery is the largest on the west coast of both the United States and Canada.
Pacific hake (Merluccius productus, also commonly known as Pacific whiting) is sold internationally, with North America, Europe and Asia being the foremost markets. This popular whitefish has long been used in producing surimi and more recently has filled an important niche in the frozen fillet, dressed and whole fish block markets.
The Pacific hake fishery operates in the Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the British Columbia coast and in the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Washington, Oregon and California. Its management bodies are the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Pacific Fishery Management Council in the United States, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Canada.
The US and Canadian fishery clients who sought the assessment now hold the MSC certificates for Pacific hake.
US fishery client -
The US clients represent virtually the entire US onshore and at-sea hake processing sectors, and the mid-water trawl vessels that deliver their catch to the respective processing sectors.
Canadian fishery client -
The Canadian client represents vessels from the Canadian fleet, which includes onshore and at-sea operations. 2009 quotas in this hake fishery are 48,061 metric tons for Canada and 135,939 metric tons for the US. All Pacific hake caught by MSC-certified vessels after October 1, 2008, six months prior to the date when the independent certifier issued a draft report concluding that the fishery meets the MSC standard, is now eligible for the MSC ecolabel.