Good preparation is the key to smooth certification. While assessment to the MSC Fisheries Standard is carried out by accredited third-party certification bodies, we are here to help you before, during, and after the process.
MSC Fishery Certification Process
The MSC Fishery Standard is used to assess if a fishery is well-managed and sustainable, and reflects the most up-to-date understanding of internationally accepted fisheries science and management.
MSC certification is available to all wild-capture fisheries, regardless of their size, scale, ecology, geography, or technology.
These include single species, multi-species, trawl, longline, hand raked, pots, freshwater, marine, inshore, offshore, demersal, pelagic, and enhanced fisheries.
Certification is a complex process. Below, you'll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Standard and the certification process. You can always reach out to your local fisheries representative with any questions.
Stages of MSC certification
After certification
You will join a collective of over 600 engaged fisheries, supplying the world with over 20,000 sustainable seafood products.
Your certifier is required to carry out audits every year of the five-year certification period. Audits will
examine any significant changes that might have occurred either in the physical environment or in the management of the fishery.
Once your fishery is certified, your clients may wish to also consider getting Chain of Custody certification so your catch can carry the MSC blue fish label.
The MSC Chain of Custody Standard gives assurance that products bearing the MSC blue label can be traced to an MSC certified fishery.
MSC Fishery Certification FAQs
Here you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the MSC fishery certification process.
Ineligible fisheries are those that
- target amphibians, reptiles, birds and/or mammals
- use destructive fishing practices (such as poison or explosives)
- have been successfully convicted of forced labor violations within the last two years
- are conducted under a controversial unilateral exemption to an international agreement
- are purely aquaculture (although some forms of enhanced fishery are eligible for assessment)
- have been convicted of shark finning violations within the last two years
Yes. To be eligible for MSC certification, enhanced fisheries must meet criteria based on:
- The link to and maintenance of a wild stock
- How the fish are fed and looked after
- The impact the enhanced fishery has on the habitats and wider ecosystem.
Assessments are conducted by accredited independent certifiers - Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs).
Certification is paid for by the fishery client. The MSC does not receive payment; the fishery client pays their chosen certification body directly. The cost varies widely depending on:
- The complexity of your fishery
- The availability of information
- The level of stakeholder involvement
We recommend that you get a few quotes and take in to account the certifier's experience with your region, gear type, and species as well as the price.
Fisheries are scored against the three principles of the MSC Fisheries Standard:
- Principle 1, Sustainability of the stock: fisheries must operate in a way that allows fishing to continue indefinitely, without overexploiting the resource
- Principle 2, Ecosystem impacts: Fishing operations need to be managed to maintain the structure, productivity, function, and diversity of the ecosystem upon which the fishery depends, including other species and habitats
- Principle 3, Effective management: All fisheries need to meet all local, national and international laws and have an effective management system in place
Three Principles
Fisheries are scored against the three principles of the MSC Fisheries Standard:
- Principle 1, Sustainability of the stock: fisheries must operate in a way that allows fishing to continue indefinitely, without overexploiting the resource
- Principle 2, Ecosystem impacts: Fishing operations need to be managed to maintain the structure, productivity, function, and diversity of the ecosystem upon which the fishery depends, including other species and habitats
- Principle 3, Effective management: All fisheries need to meet all local, national and international laws and have an effective management system in place
Preformance Indicators
There are 25 performance indicators that sit under the three principles of the MSC Fisheries Standard.
Your fishery will be assigned a score for each performance indicator, where 60 is the minimum acceptable performance, 80 is global best practice
and 100 is state of the art performance
To become certified, your fishery must score at least 60 for each of the 25 performance indicators. If your fishery scores between 60 and 79 for any performance indicator, you will be required to
take appropriate action as a condition of certification. This action needs to improve the performance of your fishery so that it scores 80 or above for that indicator. The timeframe to make these improvements is typically five years or less.
Principle average scoring
Your fishery must also score an average of 80 across all performance indicators under each of the three principles.
Ready for the next step?
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Questions about anything you've seen here, or ready to get certified? Reach out to your local fisheries rep.
Americas Fisheries Team
Fisheries Outreach Manager, US East
Fisheries and Commercial Manager, Canada East
Americas Fisheries and Stakeholder Engagement
Fisheries Outreach Manager, Western US
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Fisheries Consultant, Mexico
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Fisheries Outreach Manager, South America
Senior Manager, Fishery Partnerships, US
Fisheries and Commercial Manager, Canada West
Senior Fisheries Manager, South America
Alaska Fisheries Outreach Manager