MSC Risk-Based Framework
The MSC Risk-Based Framework (RBF) is a set of assessment methods contained in the MSC certification requirements. It is used while carrying out an MSC fishery assessment where there is insufficient data to assess the fishery using the standard assessment tree.
Why did the MSC develop the Risk-Based Framework?
The Risk-Based Framework was developed to make MSC certification more accessible to all types of fisheries.
The MSC environmental standard for sustainable fishing has been developed to be equally applicable to all fisheries. The first years of MSC certification have shown that the strong focus on quantitative data, to prove a fishery is operating sustainably, can make it difficult for smaller and more traditionally operated fisheries to become MSC certified. This is particularly true for, but not limited to, small-scale and Developing World fisheries.
When auditing a fishery as part of an MSC assessment, the certifier looks at all the available data including stock assessments for the target stock, ecosystem interactions and populations for major bycatch species.
The data is collected and analysed regularly as part of the management activities in most of the larger and more intensive fisheries. The fishery certification requirements instructs certifiers on how to assess fisheries against the MSC standard for sustainable fishing, and the default Performance Indicators and Scoring Guideposts have been written assuming the availability of a certain level of quantitative data.
Stock assessments for data-rich fisheries can be very costly and time consuming. For some fisheries, particularly small-scale and Developing World fisheries, it may not make good economic sense to carry out such an expensive assessment.
The RBF is designed to enable fisheries without some of the data required to be assessed against the MSC standard using a risk-based approach.
How was it developed?
Work to develop a suitable methodology to assess data-limited fisheries began in 2005. A series of expert workshops and consultations were undertaken which led to the development of a set of risk based tools referred to at the time as the 'Guidance for the Assessment of Data-Deficient and Small-Scale fisheries'.
In early 2008, a pilot project commenced to test these tools using 7 pilot fisheries from around the globe. As a result of these trials along with extensive consultation and revision by a consortium including leading scientists in the area of risk-based fisheries assessment, the RBF was developed.
In February 2009, the RBF was released for public consultation and provisional use by certifiers. Following this consultation and a subsequent final revision, the RBF was integrated into the Fishery Certification Requirements and approved by the MSC Technical Advisory Board and MSC Board of Trustees for official use as of 31 July 2009.
Who should use the RBF?
The RBF may be used in any fishery assessment that uses the fishery certification requirements. The risk-based methods may be used to score any or all of 5 outcome Performance Indicators contained within this assessment tree, with additional guidance concerning other affected Performance Indicators where relevant.
For full details about using the RBF please see the Risk-Based Framework FAQs.
Download the MSC certification requirements
The RBF assessment methods and scoring guidance are now fully integrated into the current Part C of the MSC certification requirements release in August, 2011.
Contact us
For further information please email standards@msc.org
