According to the certification body the fisheries take place along the northern Norwegian coast, including spawning areas of the Lofoten islands, the southern part of the Barents Sea and in the Svalbard area. The fisheries under assessment include the North East Arctic stocks for both species in the International Council for the Exporation of the Seas (ICES) Sub-Areas I and II.
This fishing methods used in this fishery is longline with vessels 10 in Domstein Longliner Partnership. It is said that haddock are distributed widely throughout European waters and for a number of distinct stocks, including a North East Arctic stock which is fished by vessels within the Domstein Longliner Partnership. Throughout the year, haddock are found in association with the North East Arctic cod stock, with haddock spawning in western areas between March and May. Adult haddock are commonly found in waters of 80m to 200m depth and feed mainly on small crustaceans, mollusks and fish.
It is informed that vessels within the Domstein Longliner Partnership fish with an automated longline system that enables longlines with 15,000 to 45,000 hooks to be set. The main fishing line lies across the seabed with baited hooks branching from the main line at 1.85m intervals. Fishing is undertaken primarily at night time which significantly reduces the potential for seabirds to be caught during the process of setting the fishing gear.
