SEATTLE, WA—July 31, 2025 –The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the world’s leading certification and ecolabeling program for sustainable wild-caught seafood, has appointed Laura McDearis as Program Director for MSC U.S. – a pivotal leadership move as the nation faces rising consumer demand for sustainable seafood and increasing pressure to safeguard marine ecosystems. In her new role, McDearis will lead the MSC’s U.S. program, supporting fisheries, seafood businesses, and stakeholders as they work to meet the growing demand for certified sustainable seafood.
McDearis steps into the role at a strong moment for the MSC in the U.S. With global seafood demand projected to double by 2050, ensuring fisheries are managed sustainably is critical to food security. The U.S. is the largest supplier of MSC certified sustainable seafood globally; approximately 85% of all U.S. fisheries are MSC certified representing 61 unique species. The MSC blue fish label now appears on over 1,380 unique products available at retailers across the U.S. in canned, frozen, fresh, supplements and pet aisles. Consumer recognition is also growing and trust remains high: one third of American seafood consumers recognize the MSC ecolabel, and 73% have high trust in the label. As the MSC marks 25 years of certified sustainable fisheries in the U.S., its impact on the water continues to grow, supporting a thriving, resilient seafood industry and driving meaningful long-term sustainability.
“Laura brings extensive experience in the seafood industry, program management, and stakeholder collaboration to this leadership position,” said Erika Feller, MSC Americas Regional Director. “Her proven track record will help us continue to strengthen the MSC’s role in the U.S. and ensure healthy oceans for future generations.”
McDearis’s appointment comes at a time when sustainable seafood is no longer a niche concern – it’s a global imperative. With climate change, overfishing, and shifting consumer expectations reshaping the seafood landscape, the MSC’s role in developing rigorous standards and promoting environmentally sustainable practices has never been more vital.
McDearis brings nearly 15 years of experience in sustainable fisheries to the role. Since joining the MSC in 2017, McDearis has led corporate partnerships and commitments to certified sustainable seafood across the US. Her background includes work in Alaska for a sportfishing lodge, being an observer in the Alaska snow crab fishery, serving as a fisheries management consultant for Ecuadorian spiny lobster, and co-founding a sustainable seafood company in California.
"I am honored to take on this leadership role with the MSC team and look forward to working closely with our fishery and commercial partners to make certified sustainable seafood easily accessible and recognizable around the globe,” said McDearis. “Together, we can ensure that wild seafood remains a vital, healthy, and environmentally sustainable resource for generations to come.”
For more than 25 years, the MSC has worked to demonstrate sustainable fishing practices through its independent, third-party certification. Today, 19.3% of the world’s wild marine catch is engaged in the MSC program.
