chilean hake
fishery improvement partnership
Formal stock assessments indicate the resource is at low levels, though the exact status of the stock and the causes of the decline are disputed. The fishery had been undergoing MSC full assessment, though this stalled some years ago and the fishery has now been removed from the MSC site. The stock declines and impacts on catches have lead to a battle between artisanal and industrial fishers over quota allocation and the need to close the fishery. These debates are critical for sustainability, but the intensity of the dispute must diminish before an inclusive improvement partnership is possible.