The MSC Net Benefits report
Net Benefits - ten years of MSC certified fisheries
30 September 2009
Find out more and download the MSC Net Benefits report 2009
To mark 10 years since the first fishery entered its programme the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has published a new report: ‘Net Benefits: The first ten years of MSC certified sustainable fisheries’. The publication is launched today at the MSC’s first Global Sustainable Seafood Lunch taking place around the globe.
42 certified sustainable fisheries in the first 10 years of MSC
In fishers’ own words – a result of extensive interviews carried out by an independent journalist, ‘Net Benefits’ tells stories of socio-economic and environmental benefits of all 42 fisheries certified during the first ten years of MSC certification. Together these fisheries supply close to four million metric tonnes of seafood to markets all over the world – over seven percent of the total global capture production for direct human consumption.
Rupert Howes, Chief Executive of the MSC, says: “Our vision is one of oceans teaming with life and seafood supplies safeguarded for this and future generations. A decade after the first fisheries sought to become MSC certified, we wanted to hear what difference MSC certification had made to their businesses, lives, and management of the oceans. The answers were as diverse as the fisheries themselves and some were truly astounding.”
Fishers report socio-economic and environmental benefits
According to the account of one fisherman in Europe, where most herring fisheries are now involved at some stage of the MSC assessment process, the critical mass of these combined fisheries has changed the mood of EU fishing negotiations. Quotas and other business are now handled in a more science-based and precautionary way, and with the on-going assessment in mind.
Most fisheries also report some kind of economic benefits. These range from the maintenance of existing markets; more stable prices; and in some cases price premiums of up to 25%. Interestingly it seems to be the smaller, more traditionally operating community based fisheries that report the biggest price premiums.
Examples further include the New Zealand hoki fishery, which as a condition of certification has rebuilt stocks to a level well above maximum sustainable yield; the South Africa hake fishery, which was required to investigate and then reduce seabird mortality – the fishery’s approach was considered exemplary by the government and the measures it took are now mandatory for all trawling vessels in South Africa.
Growing global demand for certified sustainable seafood
Rupert Howes adds: “The stories told by the men and women representing MSC certified fisheries make a clear case for a growing global demand for credible certified sustainable seafood; creating a market that is encouraging positive change in the way the oceans are fished.”
“MSC owes a tremendous debt to all the fisheries featured in this publication – the first 42 fisheries to achieve MSC certification. They had the courage, commitment and foresight to invest in the then young and evolving programme and have created the supply upon which a rapidly growing market for sustainable seafood is dependent – worth today over US $ 1.5 billion at retail value.”
About the Global Sustainable Seafood Lunch
Restaurants, caterers, local authorities, not-for-profit organisations and businesses around the world have joined forces with the MSC to launch the first Sustainable Seafood Lunch. The event takes place at lunch time (local time) on 30 September 2009 around the globe. The Sustainable Seafood Lunch highlights the efforts taken by fisheries and the seafood industry around the world to create a global market for sustainably caught fish and celebrates the growing availability of sustainable seafood choices worldwide.
More information
For any media inquiries please contact media@msc.org.
