MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Toothfish Day celebration in South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

On September 4 (today), Toothfish Day is celebrated to follow the end of the toothfish season at South Georgia.

Every country has its bank holidays. Some are widespread such as Christmas Day and Good Friday, others are unique such as Peat Cutting Monday in the Falklands
and Melon Day in Turkmenistan.

 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has its own bank holidays set by the Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands each year.

On September 4 (today), Toothfish Day is celebrated to follow the end of the toothfish season at South Georgia.

To help you join in the spirit of Toothfish Day here are some toothfish facts! Did you know that:

• The average weight of a commercially caught toothfish is 7-10kg but they can exceed 100kg.

• Toothfish can live for up to 50 years and can grow to lengths of over 2m.

• Toothfish live in cold waters (1-4 Celsius) and can be found in the South Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans as well as around sub-Antarctic islands.

• The South Georgia Toothfish Fishery has been recognized as one of the best managed fisheries in the world and has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for over ten years.

• FPV Pharos SG, undertakes regular patrols to prevent illegal fishing in South Georgia waters.

• This year 2,200 tons of toothfish have been caught around South Georgia by six vessels. Strict vessel licence conditions set by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands include stringent safety requirements, and measures to protect birds and other sea life.

• It is a condition of the fishery that every toothfish vessel has an independent scientific observer onboard ensuring 100% coverage.

The observers assist with fish tagging and release to monitor toothfish stocks and keep them healthy.

• All of South Georgia’s toothfish catch is carefully checked and reweighed in Stanley to support the Marine Stewardship Council’s Chain of Custody.

• Customers can increasingly use data collected by vessels to trace back individual fish to the exact time and place at which it was caught.

So, if you are looking for a reason to celebrate this Friday then raise a glass to toothfish – a nice white will go with it swimmingly! (Penguin News).-

- Find out more about S Find out more about South Georgia toothfish on twitter@GovSGSSI #SGFisheries