The Fisheries Certification Methodology sets out how accredited certifiers must apply the MSC standard for sustainable fishing when assessing fisheries. This methodology is the intellectual property of the MSC and is periodically updated by the MSC’s Technical Advisory Board. The TAB also provides directives to support this methodology and provide further guidance for certifiers.

The current version of the Fisheries Certification Methodology is version 6.

The Fisheries Certification Methodology sets out what accredited certifiers must do when they assess fisheries against the MSC standard for sustainable fishing. It specifies requirements such as:

• How to define a fishery (unit of certification) 
  
• How relevant stakeholders will be alerted when a fishery enters full assessment
• The process for inviting comment at key stages of the assessment
• What content should be covered in the certification report
• How to conduct a surveillance audit.
  

Further information

For further information and copy of the FCM please contact the MSC Policy Team Administrator, Matt Watson.