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:
- pre-assessment template or valid MSC reporting template
- improvement action plan template
- benchmarking and tracking tool
- progress reporting template
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.
| Description: | This template details the information required from CABs when creating a pre-assessment report against Fisheries Standard v2.01. |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 01 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
DOCX - 1 MB
| Description: | This template details the information required from CABs when creating a pre-assessment report against Fisheries Standard v3.0. |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 01 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
DOCX - 1 MB
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 or assessment. They are intended to help fisheries interested in getting MSC certified or recertified to identify and implement actions to allow the fishery to meet MSC performance requirements within a specified time frame.
| Description: | For use with ITM Program Requirements and Guidance - Pilot v2.0 and MSC Fisheries Standard v2.01 or v3.0. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 3.00 |
| Date of issue: | 01 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
DOCX - 1 MB
| Description: | For use with ITM Program Requirements and Guidance - Pilot v1.1 and MSC Fisheries Standard v2.01 |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 2.20 |
| Date of issue: | 17 November 2021 |
DOCX - 1 MB
Benchmarking and tracking tool
The tool provides a method of consistently reporting information about status of a Fishery Improvement Project and generates a visual summary dashboard of information to help interested parties understand how the fishery is progressing.
BMTs for use with MSC Fisheries Standard v3.0
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
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XLSX - 1 MB
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
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XLSX - 1 MB
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
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XLSX - 1 MB
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
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XLSX - 1 MB
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
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XLSX - 1 MB
BMTs for use with MSC Fisheries Standard v2.01
| Date effective: | 21 March 2021 |
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XLSX - 1 MB
Fisheries Management Plan Template and Guidance
This template and guidance tool are designed to support the development of a fishery management plan for pre-certification or pathway fisheries working to meet MSC Fishery Standard requirements. It is based on the MSC Standard (specifically, the Fisheries Certification requirements version 2.1) and is designed to be a user-friendly and easily adaptable.Stakeholders working with pre-certified fisheries can use it on a voluntary basis to develop management plans, supporting progress towards sustainable management and meeting the MSC requirements.
ITM progress reporting template
Fisheries in the ITM program must use this template to report on the progress made against the improvement action plan on an regular basis in line with the progress verification timelines.
Both the ITM Project Manager and Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) should complete the designated sections of the progress verification reporting template.
For ITM fisheries following ITM Program Requirements and Guidance - Pilot v2.0
The ITM Project Manager should complete all relevant sections of the ITM Progress Reporting Template. The CAB will use the information provided in this report to complete their Progress Verification Report (using a separate template).
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
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DOCX - 1 MB
For ITM fisheries following ITM Program Requirements and Guidance - Pilot v1.1
Both the ITM Project Manager and Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) should complete the designated sections of the progress verification reporting template.
| Date effective: | 15 December 2020 |
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DOCX - 1 MB
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 Ocean Stewardship Fund team
| Description: | An overview of how the MSC program can support financial institutions considering sustainability when investing in the seafood sector. |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 15 October 2020 |
PDF - 5 MB
Find out more
Fishery Improvement Projects
The MSC recognises the important contribution that Fishery Improvement Projects can make to improving overall fisheries health and in promoting sustainable seafood.
Technical consultants register
Our technical consultants register lists experts who can provide services to fisheries as they work towards meeting the MSC Fisheries Standard.
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.