MSC fisheries standard

Population growth, overexploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation have resulted in declining global biodiversity. Species are diminishing in numbers and becoming extinct, and ecosystems are depleting and suffering damage. Minimizing the environmental impacts on our ecosystems is essential. Certification according to the MSC Fisheries Standard confirms sustainable practices, using a credible, independent, third-party assessment process.   

What is the MSC Fisheries Standard

The MSC Fisheries Standard is applicable to all wild capture fisheries.  The standard is based on three core principles: 

• Sustainability of exploited fish stocks
• Maintenance of the ecosystem on which the fishery depends
• Effective and responsible management 

To ensure that only seafood originating from MSC-certified sustainable fisheries carry the MSC eco-label, all companies in the supply chain must be certified according to the MSC Chain of Custody Standard. 

Benefits of becoming certified 

Certification to the MSC Fisheries Standard enables your organization to:

• Fulfill market requirement of third-party verification of sustainable fishing
• Differentiate products in an increasingly competitive marketplace
• Be a preferred supplier
• Adapt to the environmentally conscious consumer
• Support the positioning of your product with the eco-label
• Demonstrate good resource stewardship to the community and stakeholders
• Contribute to increased pressure for improvement on non-sustainable fisheries 

It provides assurance to consumers and retailers that the seafood products come from a well-managed and sustainable source.

Getting started

The most important element in the certification process is to transparently identify and address issues about target stock(s), the impact of fishing on the marine environment, and the effectiveness of the fishery’s management system.  

Specific circumstances out of your company’s control may prevent you from becoming certified, such as unsustainable governmental policies. Thus, the pre-assessment is a fundamental step in the certification process in order to identify possible problems at a very early stage.  

The assessment includes measuring the fishery against the principles of the standard, considering the unique circumstances of the fishery. The certification process includes involvement of fishery experts, consultations with stakeholders and submission of reports at specific stages.