The Recertification Assistance Fund rewards fisheries that have shown a substantial commitment to the MSC program and sustainability.
The fund helps MSC certified fisheries with the cost of Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) fees for their second or subsequent recertification audit.
Recertification Assistance Fund grants are calculated in proportion to the applicant's audit fee costs.
What we will fund
The maximum recertification grant will be limited to whichever is lowest:
- 75% of the CAB’s recertification audit costs, or
- GBP £30,000
The fund will not fund any costs related to surveillance audits or objections procedures.
How to apply
Completed application forms and supporting documents (below) should be sent via email to [email protected] within 12 months of the publication of the Public Certification Report (PCR) for their second or subsequent recertification.
2023
Canada Scotia-Fundy haddock fishery
• Certificate holder: Atlantic Groundfish Council
Cornwall sardine fishery
• Certificate holder: Cornish Sardine Management Association
Ekofish Group and Osprey Trawlers North Sea Twin-rigged Plaice fishery
• Certificate holder: Ekofish Group BV
Ekofish Group and Osprey Trawlers North Sea Twin-rigged Plaice fishery
• Certificate holder: Osprey Group BV
Mexico Baja California red rock lobster fishery
• Certificate holder: Federación Regional de Sociedades Cooperativas de la Industria Pesquera Baja California, FCL (FEDECOOP)
Norway North East Arctic cod offshore (>12nm) fishery
• Certificate holder: Norwegian Fishermen’s Association (NFA)
Norway North East Arctic haddock offshore (>12nm) fishery
• Certificate holder: Norwegian Fishermen’s Association (NFA)
Scapeche, Euronor and Compagnie des Peches de St Malo saithe fishery
• Certificate holder: Comptoir des Pêches d'Europe du Nord (Euronor), La Compagnie des Pêches Saint-Malo, Société Centrale des Armements des Mousquetaires à la pêche (Scapêche)
SFSAG Northern Demersal Stocks fishery
• Certificate holder: Scottish Fisheries Sustainable Accreditation Group (SFSAG)
2022
- Spencer Gulf King prawn fishery
Certificate holder: Spencer Gulf & West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association Inc. - US North Pacific halibut and sablefish
Certificate holder: Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association (FVOA) - Eat on the Wild Side - Netherlands blue shell mussel (translocation bottom & cultured fishery)
Certificate holders: Vereniging Producentenorganisatie van de Nederlandse Mosselcultuur (Dutch PO Mussel Culture), the Zeeuwse Hangcultuurkwekers and Vereniging van Importeurs van Schelpdieren - South Georgia Icefish Pelagic Trawl
Certificate holder: Polar Seafish Ltd.
2021
- Gulf of St Lawrence northern shrimp trawl fishery
Certificate holders: L’Association Québécoise de l’Industrie de la Pêche (AQIP), L’Association Coopérative des Pêcheurs de L’îIle Ltée, Association of Seafood Producers Inc. (ASP), Produits Belle-Baie Ltée - Canada Highly Migratory Species Foundation (CHMSF) British Columbia Albacore Tuna North Pacific
Certificate holder: Canadian Highly Migratory Species Foundation (CHMSF) - Norway North Sea herring
Certificate holder: Norwegian Fishermen’s Association - Norway Spring Spawning herring
Certificate holder: Norwegian Fishermen’s Association - OCI Grand Bank yellowtail flounder trawl fishery
Certificate holder: Ocean Choice International - Ross Sea toothfish longline fishery
Certificate holder: Silvifish Resources Ltd. - Eastern Canada Offshore Scallop
Certificate holder: Seafood Producers Association of Nova Scotia - BSAI and GOA flatfish
Certificate holder: Alaska Seafood Cooperative - BSAI and GOA Pacific cod
Certificate holder: Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation
2020
- Pacific hake midwater trawl fishery
Certificate holders: Pacific Whiting Conservation Cooperative (U.S.A), Oregon Trawl Commission and Association of Pacific Hake Fishermen (Canada). - Canada scotian shelf northern prawn trawl
Certificate holders: Association of Seafood Producers Inc, L’Association coopérative des pêcheurs de l'Île (ACPI) and Northsyde Processing Ltd.
Forms and guidance
Date of issue: | 16 September 2022 |
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Date of issue: | 26 September 2022 |
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Date of issue: | 15 September 2022 |
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Who can apply?
MSC certified fisheries can apply for funding after the Public Certification Report (PCR) of their second or subsequent recertification is published.
Applicants must be able to accept the Ocean Stewardship Fund Privacy Policy.
Grant awardees
Find out more

Apply for funding (home)
The Ocean Stewardship Fund offers grants to both MSC certified sustainable fisheries and improving fisheries.

Science and Research Fund
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Fish for Good
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