Alaska Black Cod (Sablefish)

Alaska Black Cod (sablefish)

The U.S. Alaska sablefish commercial fisheries were awarded continued certification in May 2023. Vessels operating in certified Alaska sablefish fisheries primarily employ benthic longline and pot gear. Fishing occurs in the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea / Aleutian Islands, and in Southeast Alaska. Federal fisheries are jointly managed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), while fishing in state waters is managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG). Alaska has the world’s largest sablefish population. Sablefish are known to live for over 90 years, and research has shown that they undertake migrations of more than 1,000 miles. Alaska sablefish is assessed in combination with the Alaska halibut fishery.

Certification Reports

Fishery Client
Latest Certification and Surveillance Reports
Archived Certification and Surveillance Reports

Alaska Black Cod/Sablefish Re-Assessment For Full Certification

The reassessment was conducted using Alaska RFM Standard Version 1.3.

Audit 1:

Audit 2:

Audit 3:

Audit 4:

Initial Certification:

Fishery Info

When and Where They’re Harvested

Fishing for U.S. Alaska sablefish occurs in federal waters of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Alaska, and in Alaska state waters. Harvest occurs in three areas – the Gulf of Alaska, Southwest Alaska, and the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands.

Source: https://www.alaskaseafood.org/alaska-seafood-101/seasonality-harvesting/
How They’re Harvested

Alaska sablefish is harvested primarily through longlining and pot-fishing, although some sablefish are harvested using trawl gear.

Longlining

Longline fishing vessels are usually independently run by owner-operators. Some longliners are small boats, less than 50 feet in length, but most are somewhat larger. Longline gear is composed of groundline, buoy lines, and gangions, which are short pieces of line with hooks on the end. Longlines are set along the seabed, with baited hooks every few yards. Longline hooks are then retrieved one at a time.

Pots

Pots used to target Alaska sablefish are large steel-framed cages covered in net mesh. The baited pots are placed on the seafloor where they trap the fish or crab. Fish or crab enter the traps through tunnels but cannot escape. Later the pots are retrieved and the seafood are sorted on deck. Non-target species are returned to the sea.

Source: https://www.alaskaseafood.org/

How The Fishery Is Managed

Management of federal U.S. Alaska sablefish fisheries is conducted jointly by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). In accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the NPFMC establishes science-based annual catch limits for federal Alaska sablefish fisheries, and NMFS develops and enforces federal regulations. Management of commercial sablefish harvesting in Alaska state waters is conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG).

How vessel labour is regulated

Vessels harvesting sablefish that is certified by CSI under the U.S. Alaska sablefish certificate operate exclusively within Alaska state waters and federal waters of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Alaska state and U.S. federal law regulate the treatment of workers on vessels that harvest certified Alaska sablefish.

Taste And Texture

Alaska sablefish, also commonly known as black cod, is prized for its rich melt-in-your-mouth flavor and succulent, velvety texture. This intensely flavorful whitefish is difficult to overcook and takes well to marinades and sauces and smoking. Sablefish is also great for sautéing, poaching or roasting.

Nutrition

Alaska sablefish is the powerhouse of long chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA with the highest content level of the popular commercially harvested Alaska seafoods. The high oil content of sablefish is largely composed of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3’s in Alaska sablefish are primarily DHA and EPA, the most studied, beneficial, and readily usable by the body.

Alaska Sablefish

Serving Size: 3oz (85g) cooked

Calories
210
Protein 15g
Fat17g
Saturated Fat3g
Sodium60mg
Cholesterol55mg
Omega-3s DHA+EPA1519mg
Vitamin B121.2mcg
Vitamin A90mcg
Vitamin DN/A
Selenium40mcg
Potassium390mcg
Iron1.4mg
Calcium40mg

Source: https://www.alaskaseafood.org/health-nutrition/nutrition-information/#wild-alaska-whitefish

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