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You’ve landed on this page because you are a seafood eater who cares about a healthy ocean and wants to avoid contributing to the global issue of overfishing. Checking for the MSC blue fish label on seafood products is a great place to start! Let’s find out why:
Although there is no one globally agreed-upon definition, the MSC standards and program are built off a specific definition. Within the MSC program, “sustainable fishing” means leaving enough fish in the ocean while also protecting marine habitats and other threatened species.
More specifically, an MSC certified fishery achieves three things:
Visit the "Sustainable Seafood" Webpage
Each product featuring the MSC blue fish label (pictured above) is:
To be sold with the MSC blue fish label, seafood must come from a fishery certified against a strict set of science-based criteria that verifies how sustainable and ocean-friendly a fishery is (commonly called the MSC Fisheries Standard).
The MSC Fisheries Standard is developed in partnership with a wide range of top experts in their respective fields, including scientists, the fishing industry, conservation groups, and others. There are several fail-safes in place—including mandatory third-party accreditation and annual audits—to ensure that the MSC stays impartial and fair throughout the process and to verify that the system works.
In short, you can feel confident trusting the MSC blue fish label.
How the MSC meets global best practice
The MSC blue fish label is likely hiding in plain sight in your local grocery store–once you see it for the first time, you might start noticing it on a wide variety of products!
While shopping, look for the MSC blue fish label on items in...
Don’t forget to look for it on restaurant menus, too!
Seafood certifications and ratings programs are two ways for consumers to make ocean-friendly choices when buying fish and other seafood products.
Both serve an important role in keeping the seafood supply chain accountable and encouraging seafood producers to make continuous improvements to support a healthier ocean for this and future generations.
Seafood certifications and ratings are independent from seafood brands, retailers, and restaurants, and give consumers third-party assurance that they’re supporting a healthier ocean for the future.
Are you a pro at finding MSC certified seafood while grocery shopping or eating out? Congratulations! Each time you make the switch to an MSC certified option, you’re supporting sustainable fishing and doing your part to end overfishing. Looking to take further action to make our ocean healthier?
While the MSC is dedicated to ending overfishing, we understand that there are other issues our ocean faces, including pollution and climate change. Explore the five simple actions you can take—starting today—to live a more ocean-friendly life.
Head to the MSC blog for the latest news about the MSC, sustainable seafood, and general ocean health.
Get inspired to eat sustainable seafood with recipes and cooking tips, foodie guides, and more!
Visit the Healthy Oceans page to learn how you can be part of the sustainable seafood movement.
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