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The MSC has several improvement tools to support the progress of fisheries towards MSC certification.
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:
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.
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.
Fisheries in the ITM program must use this template to report on the progress made against the improvement action plan on an annual basis.
Both the ITM Project Manager and Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) should complete the designated sections of the progress verification reporting template.
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.
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.
The MSC recognises the important contribution that Fishery Improvement Projects can make to improving overall fisheries health and in promoting sustainable seafood.
Our technical consultants register lists experts who can provide services to fisheries as they work towards meeting the MSC Fisheries Standard.
The Fisheries Standard measures the sustainability of wild-capture fisheries. The Standard is open to all wild-capture fisheries, including those from the developing world.
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