Introduction to the MSC
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a global nonprofit dedicated to ending overfishing around the world. It operates the world’s leading certification program for sustainable wild-caught seafood.
Working with scientists, fisheries, industry experts, and other nonprofits, the MSC maintains two globally recognized standards aimed at improving the way our ocean is fished and driving transparency in the supply chain: the MSC Fisheries Standard and Chain of Custody Standard. The MSC program incentivizes sustainable fishing practices globally.
Through its blue fish label, the MSC makes it easy for everyone to identify and choose certified sustainable, wild-caught seafood.
The need for sustainable seafood
In 1997 the MSC was founded to address the growing global threat of overfishing, as a way to define sustainable fishing and incentivize fisheries to improve their practices and meet a globally recognized environmental standard.
Today, more than one-third (34%) of fish stocks are estimated to be overfished (UN FAO, 2020), the global human population is set to reach 10 billion by 2050, and the demand for blue foods (foods from aquatic animals, plants or algae) is estimated to double by roughly that same time. The need to harness our aquatic resources responsibly is more urgent than ever. Billions of people worldwide depend on seafood as their primary source of protein, and for their livelihoods.
Sustainable fishing plays a vital role in protecting our ocean, its biodiversity, and keeping our world fed. As such, the MSC exists to define, promote, and reward sustainable management of fisheries and transparency in the supply chain across the world.
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Program Director, USA
Senior Fisheries Program Manager, Americas
Senior Fisheries Manager, US
Program Director, Canada
Regional Director, Americas
The MSC in numbers
19%
of marine wild catch is engaged with the MSC program (certified, in assessment, suspended, and in-transition)
674
fisheries engaged in the MSC program
95%
of MSC certified fisheries have made improvements to their fishing practices
Track a Fishery
For the latest information on fisheries involved with the MSC program take a look at the MSC Track a Fishery website. There, you can sign up for bi-weekly newsletters for the latest certification news.
Newsletters
For MSC Canada and US program information, sign up for the MSC business newsletter.
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The MSC Standards
The MSC Standards were developed, and continue to be updated, through consultation with the fishing industry, scientists, conservationists, experts, and stakeholders.
Our collective impact
Research and science are fundamental to the work we do at the MSC. Our science and research collaborations help ensure our Standard development reflects the latest scientific understanding.
Consumer insights
Concerns for our ocean are driving a new wave of consumer activism, new research from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) reveals. American shoppers are increasingly ‘voting with their forks’ for sustainable seafood.