The MSC is making changes to its Fisheries Standard and related scheme documents to ensure the intended changes on the water are delivered.
The MSC launched the Fisheries Program Revisions to resolve issues identified following publication of Version 3 of the Fisheries Standard. As a result, key aspects of the Fisheries Standard v3.1, Fisheries Certification Process v3.1, and Fisheries Standard Toolbox v1.2 will be revised.
The revisions proposed intend to provide a clearer and more practical Standard that continues to set a credible and effective framework for environmentally sustainable fishing.
A new and more inclusive approach has been taken to develop and test the revisions. This involves collaboration between the MSC, fishery assessors, and representatives from fisheries and eNGOs.
While these revisions are in development, fisheries have been permitted more time to use Version 2.01 of the Standard. Version 2.01 remains a leading measure of fisheries sustainability, as benchmarked by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative.
Visit the MSC’s international website to find out more about the transition timelines for fisheries.
Take part in the consultation
A 60-day public consultation on the proposed changes to the Standard, Toolbox and Fisheries Certification Process is open.
All interested stakeholders can view the proposals and provide feedback via an online survey. The survey will close on Tuesday 8 December 2026.
The survey is available to be translated into any language as part of the survey system. Supporting information will be available in the following languages: Bahasa Indonesia, English, French, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish.
Feedback will be analysed and used to refine the revisions alongside further pilot testing and impact assessments. A further 30-day review is expected to be held in April 2027.
Proposed Revisions
Proposed revisions have been developed which focus on the following topics. Visit the pages on our international site to find out more.
- Evidence Requirements Framework and monitoring requirements
- Fisheries Certification Process
- Requirements for Endangered, Threatened and Protected species and out-of-scope species
- Risk-Based Framework
- Use of Section SE for non-tuna fisheries managed by RFMOs
The revisions will also consider the requirements for inseparable and practicably inseparable species and includes a new template for recording vessel list data. Additional minor clarifications and edits will also be made to ensure consistency, clarity and usability throughout the scheme documents.
Register for our webinars
Each webinar will provide an in-depth explanation of a different group of revisions and will discuss the rationale behind the changes proposed. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask the MSC team questions.
Please note, each webinar will be repeated to account for different time-zones. Each day there will be one webinar at 07:00 UTC and the same webinar at 16:00 UTC.
Next steps
2026
- 8 October – 8 December: 60-day public consultation on all revisions
- 2 – 6 November: Webinar series discussing proposed revisions.
April 2027
- 30-day public consultation on final draft proposals planned
Mid 2027
- Updated version of the Standard to be published.
Early 2028
- Updated Standard expected to be in effect (6 months after publication)
Find out about the timelines for fisheries to transition to the updated version.
