MSC in Latin America and the Caribbean

Certified fisheries

Latin America as a region encompasses 21 countries, the Caribbean region adds another 20 more. The region is incredibly diverse and holds some of the world’s highest biological diversity. Associated with this are many important fisheries, from community-based, artisanal fisheries all the way to the world’s largest wild capture fishery, the anchoveta fishery off the west coast of South America. Two fisheries in Latin America have been certified sustainable under the MSC program. The Mexican Baja California red rock lobster was certified in 2004, becoming the first fishery in the developing world to be certified to the MSC standard. In 2006, the Patagonian scallop fishery was certified. One fishery in Latin America, the Gulf of California Mexico sardine fishery, is in full assessment, moving toward certification.

Latin American and Caribbean countries are significant exporters of fish and the MSC has begun to work with a number of the region’s fisheries as they explore certification under the MSC standard. MSC’s pilot program for data limited fisheries, once ready for wider use, should open the door for far larger participation by Latin American and Caribbean countries in the MSC. Use our Track a Fishery page to find certified fisheries and fisheries in assessment in Latin America.

Supply chain

While there are fisheries in Latin America that are certified or in assessment, much of the fish is exported and the MSC has not yet engaged the local retail sector in those countries. As additional fisheries become certified, it will enhance the opportunity for Latin American and Caribbean seafood commercial sectors – processors, packagers, distributors, suppliers, retail stores and foodservice outlets – to incorporate MSC certified seafood into their supply chains and present MSC-labelled sustainable seafood to their end consumers.

Find out how your company can get involved in the MSC program.