Certified Sustainable Seafood

We're the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - an international nonprofit on a mission to end overfishing and ensure seafood is fished sustainably. Help us support healthy oceans, lakes, and rivers, protect food security, and preserve livelihoods.

Did You Know? Seafood is Planet Friendly!

Many studies have found that seafood, especially wild-caught seafood, can have a much lower carbon footprint than land-based proteins like beef and pork, and even eggs or chicken.

Learn more

The MSC in numbers

19%

of marine wild catch is engaged with the MSC program (certified, in assessment, suspended, and in-transition)

2,000

improvements were made by MSC certified fisheries by the end of March 2022

95%

of MSC certified fisheries have made improvements to their fishing practices

Dive Deeper

Overfishing Explained

Overfishing is a global problem that threatens ocean wildlife, livelihoods, and seafood supplies. The good news is that overfishing can be stopped. Find out how.

What does the MSC blue fish label mean?

The little blue fish provides assurance that the seafood you chose came from a certified sustainable fishery.

What is 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.

Annual Report 2022-2023

We’ve been part of a team effort to keep oceans healthy and seafood sustainable for over 25 years. Read about the impact we and our partners have made in our latest Annual Report.

Read the Summary

Learn More About the MSC

FAQs

Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the MSC, overfishing, and sustainable seafood.

How is the MSC Funded?

The MSC is fortunate to benefit from the generous support of donors who share our mission and vision. We also receive funds when our partners choose to use the blue MSC label as a mark of the sustainability of their products.

Stories From the Water

Over the last 25 years, we’ve worked hard to make sure the oceans are fished sustainably, but we haven’t been doing it alone. The best way to understand the impact of the MSC is from those directly involved in the program. Hear from the passionate people taking care of our ocean in the stories below.