Fisheries don’t stop improving once they become MSC certified. They make a long-term commitment to sustainability and to keep up with global best practice.
Why do MSC certified fisheries need improving?
While fisheries must be performing at a high level to be MSC certified, there is often room for improvement. To be certified as sustainable, fisheries must score an average of at least 80 out of 100 for each of the MSC Fisheries Standard’s three principles: sustainable stocks, environmental impacts, and effective management.
Each principle of the Fisheries Standard is made up of 28 indicators. If a certified fishery scores less than 80/100 on an individual indicator, it will be set a ‘condition of certification’ by the independent assessor. The fishery must then implement a plan of action to make improvements that will bring it up to global best practice. If conditions are not met within the certification period (usually 5 years), the fishery is suspended from the MSC program.
Over 95% of certified fisheries have successfully completed at least one condition. Conditions drive continual improvement towards global best practice in fisheries sustainability.
The graph below shows the distribution of scores from
all currently certified fisheries that have completed at least two full assessments against the MSC Fisheries Standard – typically this reflects changes over five years. For all three principles there is a statistically significant improvement between
the average (median) score when they join the program and at the end of the first certification period.
What improvements have been made?
Completing one condition can lead to a wide range of improvements. By March 2024, MSC certified fisheries had recorded over 2,362 different improvements.Sometimes, one action produces multiple improvements. For example, modifying gear types could reduce bycatch of a range of species.
Improvements by MSC certified fisheries over the last three years: 417
146
improvements benefitting endangered, threatened and protected species, and reducing bycatch
118
improvements benefitting stock status and harvest strategies
74
improvements benefitting fishery management, governance and policy
79
improvements benefitting ecosystems and habitats
Case Studies
Tuna fishery works to reduce bycatch
How the island nation of Fiji is leading the way in reducing accidental catch in longline tuna fisheries.
Pink shrimp fishery uses LED lights on nets
The Oregon and Washington pink shrimp fishery off the west coast of the USA is working to protect a lesser-known fish.
Squat lobster fishery uses new science
A Chilean squat lobster fishery has been working with researchers to map its fishing grounds.
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