Fishery improvement tools

The MSC tools can be used by any fishery working towards sustainability through a Fishery Improvement Project.

The following tools are mandatory for fisheries taking part in the In-Transition to MSC (ITM) program:

• pre-assessment template
  
• improvement action plan template
  
• benchmarking and tracking tool 

Pre-assessment template

An MSC pre-assessment provides an overview on how a fishery performs against the MSC Standard. This allows for gaps in performance to be identified. The process for undertaking an MSC pre-assessment is described in the MSC Fisheries Certification Process. 

Fishery improvement action plan tool

This template and guidance tool are designed to help a fishery develop an improvement action plan to address the gaps in a fishery's environmental performance.

Improvement action plans should be developed following an MSC pre-assessment. They are intended to help fisheries interested in getting MSC certified to identify and implement actions to allow the fishery to meet MSC performance requirements within a specified time frame.

Benchmarking and tracking tool

Risk-Based Framework

Access to data can be a barrier to MSC assessment, this is particularly true for small scale and developing world fisheries. The MSC has a set of precautionary risk-based indicators for the assessment of data-deficient fisheries.

Investing in fishery improvement projects

The MSC certification program supports the identification of sustainable investment opportunities. 

We have developed a guide to support private and public financial institutions that are considering sustainability in their investment decisions in the seafood sector.

For further information, please contact our Global Accessibility team.