Sustainable Fishing and Communities | Marine Stewardship Council

Billions of people around the world depend on the fishing industry for both their food and livelihoods.

For many, sustainable fishing is a necessity, not a luxury. The alternatives are poverty, malnutrition, and hunger.

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

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO):

3.3 bn

people get at least 20% of their daily animal protein intake from fish

38 million

people employed directly in wild capture fisheries

Over 50%

of the world’s traded seafood comes from developing countries

Up to 10%

of the global population relies on fisheries for their livelihood

Sustainable fishing, sustainable communities

The MSC encourages responsible fisheries management and sustainable practices to protect the future of fishing communities.

Fishing is often a family business – future generations will only benefit if oceans remain healthy. Responsible fishers are choosing to fish sustainably in order to pass on their treasured way of life. 37% of the world’s population live in coastal communities where whole families are often employed in fishing. Women account for most of the workers in secondary marine-related activities such as fish processing and marketing.

Buying MSC certified fish and seafood helps sustain the livelihoods of those fishing responsibly.

A collective effort

The MSC program is a collective effort that could not exist without the many people around the world who work to safeguard fish stocks, ecosystems, and livelihoods of fishermen. Read more about the people behind the blue fish label.

Learn more