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Increasing market demand for sustainable seafood has led to considerable growth of Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs). We support credible FIPs with our tools and the In-Transition to MSC (ITM) program.
We believe it’s important that FIPs are transparent, demonstrate measurable improvement and are operated in a credible manner. Key elements of our credible FIP definition are:
To support fisheries in credible FIPs we are piloting a new program called In-Transition to MSC (ITM). This program offers fisheries independent verification of their progress.
We also support the progress of fisheries towards MSC certification with our fishery improvement tools.
Currently six fisheries engaged in the MSC Fish for Good project are in the pilot program.
Participation helps fisheries demonstrate their progress and commitment to potential funders and supporters of credible improvement projects. The program also helps fisheries prepare for entering full MSC assessment.
Fisheries in the program will be eligible to apply for funding from the MSC’s Transition Assistance Fund to support the implementation of their action plans.
Fisheries will not be eligible for MSC Chain of Custody certification, product labelling or business-to-business claims until they are fully certified.
The ITM program is open for applications from small-scale fisheries in the Global North and all fisheries in the Global South.
To be eligible, fisheries must be committed to achieving MSC certification and plan on entering full assessment after completing the ITM period which should not exceed five years.
To join your fishery must meet the following requirements:
A fishery needs to be independently assessed by a CAB to confirm it is eligible.
A CAB will verify the fishery’s progress against its action plan. Fisheries should be on target to achieve expected improvements.
When a fishery has achieved all its score improvements, it is expected to enter full assessment for MSC certification with the prospect of achieving at least a conditional pass.
The ITM program is open to applications from fisheries that meet the eligibility requirements.
If you are interested in applying or would like to know more about the program, please register your interest by emailing the Global Accessibility team.
Further information on the ITM program and the eligibility requirements can be found in our brochure below.
The Requirements and Guidance document below provides an outline of the procedures used by CABs to confirm compliance with entry requirements for the ITM program pilot and verify continuous progress.
The MSC has several improvement tools to support the progress of fisheries towards MSC certification.
Our technical consultants register lists experts who can provide services to fisheries as they work towards meeting the MSC Fisheries Standard.
Our Capacity Building Program supports fisheries that are improving towards sustainability and MSC certification.
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