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The MSC examines the sustainability of certified fisheries as part of our ongoing global impact reporting. Our 2019 analysis focuses on the improvements MSC certified fisheries have made to reduce environmental impacts.
While fisheries must be performing at a high level to be MSC certified, there is often room for improvement. In fact, 92% of certified fisheries have made at least one improvement. These improvements are required for fisheries to maintain certification. These improvement requirements form what we call conditions. Each condition may impact multiple species and generate many improvements. A completed condition means a fishery's score meets best practice as measured by the three Principles of the MSC Fisheries Standard.
143 conditions related to Principle 2 of the Fisheries Standard: minimizing environmental impact.
We have recorded these conditions in four main categories:
MSC certified fisheries funded or participated in 65 new scientific research projects, including mapping the sea floor.
MSC certified fisheries have taken 24 technical actions. Among these are gear modifications for reducing bycatch and the creation of new marine protected areas (MPAs).
54 assessments of fishery impact were completed. Among these asssessments is the mapping of fisheries' pathways. This mapping enables researchers to compare a fishing area with nearby habitats and measure the fishing impact.
An improvement is the result of an action taken by a fishery to close a condition. Sometimes, one action produces multipleimprovements. For example, closing an area to fishing could impact several species. The MSC’s Strategic Research team has analysed fisheries' improvements since 2016 to test the benefits. They found:
Read our full Global Impacts Report from 2017, which showcases the progress and improvements delivered by certified fisheries around the world.
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