We’ve been part of a team effort to keep oceans healthy and seafood sustainable for more than 25 years. Read about the impact we and our partners have made in our latest Annual Report.
Annual Report 2022-2023
2022-23 has been another landmark year for the ocean and for seafood. In June 2022, the UN Ocean Summit called for a "Blue Transformation" to enable aquatic foods to make a greater contribution to food security. At the UN biodiversity conference (COP 15), MSC certification was officially recognised as an indicator to measure countries’ progress towards two of the targets in the new global biodiversity framework. In March 2023, UN member states reached an agreement in New York on the High Seas Treaty, the result of 20 years of talk.
At the same time, over 15 million tonnes, or 19%, of all wild marine catch is now engaged with the MSC.
There are still multiple challenges, but we are investing in research into the impacts of climate change on sustainable fishing and increasing our efforts to engage with and build support among governments, environmental NGOs and scientists.
Download our latest report for:
- Features on key species groups including white fish, small pelagics, tuna, octopus and squid, crab and lobster, salmon, prawn and shrimp, bivalves, and seaweed.
- Features on the Blue Transformation and our strategy for 2030
- Small-scale and developing region fisheries: An overview of how the Pathway to Sustainability projects and the In-Transition to MSC program are increasing accessibility.
- The revised Fisheries Standard: Now in effect, version 3.0 of the Standard strengthens measures on evidence, endangered species, ghost gear and harvest strategies.
- The Ocean Stewardship Fund: How grants have helped vital research on sharks, turtles and seabirds and habitats, from Alaska to Madagascar.
Previous reports
| Description: | Celebrating and supporting sustainable fisheries |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 01 October 2020 |
PDF - 7 MB
| Description: | Working together for thriving oceans. |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 10 October 2019 |
PDF - 6 MB
| Description: | Seafood for future generations. |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 20 February 2019 |
PDF - 5 MB
| Description: | MSC 20th anniversary Annual Report. Wild. Certified. Sustainable. |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 18 October 2017 |
PDF - 13 MB
| Description: | A summary of the MSC's current strategic plan, outlining the MSC’s main strategic directions and priorities from 2017 to 2020 |
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| Date of issue: | 24 May 2017 |
PDF - 2 MB
Science and Standards reports
| Description: | An updated review of the Marine Stewardship Council program and the improvements made by MSC certified fisheries around the world. |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 08 June 2019 |
| Date effective: | 08 June 2019 |
PDF - 8 MB
| Description: | A 20th anniversary review of the Marine Stewardship Council program and the progress and improvements made by MSC certified fisheries around the world. |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 01 June 2017 |
PDF - 7 MB
More about the MSC
Our Strategy
Our Strategic Plans provide essential direction to help us make the greatest improvements to marine environments.
The MSC and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Data from the MSC is used by the UN Environment Programme to track progress towards international goals to end overfishing and protect biodiversity.
How we meet best practice
It’s vital that everyone, from fishers to retailers, scientists to consumers, has confidence in the blue MSC label.