A message from our CEO
"For almost three decades, the MSC has been part of a remarkable collective effort, working with leaders throughout the seafood sector to transform seafood markets, raise standards and drive positive change on the water. This year, we were honoured to be recognised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for our contribution to sustainable fisheries management. This recognition does not belong to the MSC alone, but to all our partners who – despite ongoing economic pressures and geopolitical tensions – remain steadfast in their commitments to sustainability.More fisheries than ever have chosen to engage with the MSC Program – a total of 789 fisheries, representing almost a fifth of global wild marine catch. This year, we saw a record 115 recertifications, demonstrating the ongoing commitment of these fisheries, many of which have had to make significant improvements in the way they fish the ocean to maintain certification. Some have been recertified multiple times – like the New Zealand hoki fishery, which this year marked 25 years of MSC certification."
Rupert Howes, Chief Executive, Marine Stewardship Council
Progress on the water
MSC continues to enjoy strong market momentum, driven by the growing number of fisheries engaged in the program.
*Engaged= MSC certified, suspended, in assessment and in the MSC Improvement Program
789 fisheries
engaged* in the MSC program
7% increase
on 2024-2025
15.46 million tonnes
MSC engaged catch
19.5% of all wild marine catch* engaged with the MSC
Improvements by MSC certified fisheries over the last three years: 675
262
83
205
125
115 recertifications
A record number.
25 years
of certification for the New Zealand hoki fishery, hake, ling and Southern blue whiting fishery, the first whitefish fishery in the world to achieve MSC certification.
Species engaged
Fisheries engaged in the MSC program target 187 different species.
72%
of the commercial whitefish catch is MSC engaged
62%
of the commercial tuna catch is MSC engaged
Delivering impact
The North Peru eel trap fishery entered the MSC Improvement Program in 2023 and has since become certified.
The MSC Improvement Program
Our Improvement Program aims to support fisheries targeting assessment within five years.
The program now
has 40 fisheries ranging from Ecuador, Canada and Indonesia and including the Peruvian giant squid fishery - the world’s largest squid fishery. This fishery entered the program in 2025, with its 4500 artisanal vessels accounting
for 30% of the global squid harvest.
Ocean Stewardship Fund
Our Ocean Stewardship Fund supports fisheries on their
journey to sustainability. Since its creation in 2019, it has provided grants to almost 200 fisheries and projects to help fund improvements and critical research. We direct 5% of our royalty revenue from licensing the MSC ecolabel
into the Ocean Stewardship Fund every year, combined with contributions from donors who share our vision.
£1.1 million
awarded in 2025-26 across 26 grants
£9 million
awarded since 2019
40%
to fisheries in developing economies
Progress in the market
As our retail and supply chain partners grow their market share, consumers have more opportunities to choose sustainable seafood that supports a healthy ocean. We saw strong growth this year: the volume of MSC labelled seafood sold increased by more than 10%, reaching a new milestone of 1.5 million tonnes, while total sales value passed $16 billion for the first time.
12%
growth in shoppers buying MSC labelled seafood this year in the UK and Ireland
100%
increase in MSC labelled crab sold in the USA
30%
increase in MSC labelled tuna sold worldwide compared to last year
MSC labelled products available to consumers
22,118
MSC labelled products available in 2026
10%
global increase in sales of labelled products
