What does the MSC do

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a global nonprofit dedicated to healthy oceans and seafood resources for the future.

What does the MSC do?

We created and maintain a global standard for sustainable fishing. The MSC Fisheries Standard sets criteria for environmentally sustainable fishing, which includes ensuring that fishing can continue indefinitely, that fishing doesn’t have a lasting impact on the surrounding ecosystem, and that the fishery is well managed and can adapt to changing conditions. Fisheries around the world volunteer to be assessed against our standard. If they pass their assessment, they can then sell their fish and shellfish as MSC certified.

To help seafood eaters identify sustainably caught seafood, we also have a standard for supply chains that sell certified sustainable fish and seafood. The MSC blue fish label can be used by companies that meet our Chain of Custody Standard and helps seafood eaters like you recognize fish and seafood was sustainably caught.

Learn more about what we do below.

The MSC works to...

End Overfishing

The MSC was created in response to the global crisis of overfishing. We want healthy oceans so future generations can continue to enjoy seafood. Our ecolabel and certification program rewards sustainable fishing to help end overfishing.

Promote Sustainable Fishing

While companies and organizations around the world have different definitions of sustainable fishing, the MSC definition is widely accepted across borders, among fishery experts, scientists, researchers, governmental bodies, and environmental NGOs.

Support Fishing Communities

Billions of people around the world depend on the fishing industry for both their food and livelihoods. In fact, about 200 million people are directly or indirectly employed in the fish and seafood industries. With increasing population levels and challenges like climate change, sustainable fishing is vital to protect these livelihoods and ensure food security.

What We Do