The Transition Assistance Fund supports fisheries in developing economies and small-scale fisheries on their pathway to sustainability and is part of our Ocean Stewardship Fund.
What grants are available?
Amount of funding available: up to £50,000
Duration of funding: two years
Deadline for applications: applications are now open for 2023 and close at 23:59 GMT on 5 December 2022
Who can apply?
The Transition Assistance Fund welcomes applications from any fisheries in developing economies and small-scale fisheries that are part of the In-Transition to MSC (ITM) program.
The ITM program provides independent verification for fisheries committed to becoming MSC certified by entering full assessment.
Each fishery can only submit one application for consideration. If the fishery is applying for a second Transition Assistance Fund grant, the term of the first grant must have concluded by the time of application. For example, if the first grant finishes before December 2022, the fishery will be eligible to apply in the 2023 funding round.
Submissions by organisations must be made by a named individual who will be responsible for that project.
Applications will be assessed on:
- Meeting the ITM eligibility or progress status
- Clarity and feasibility of the project outcomes and key performance indicators within the timelines
- Contribution of the project to improvements in the fishery
- Competency of the ITM project manager
- Experience and track record in fisheries improvements of the implementing organisation
- Evidence of matched or additional funding
How to apply
Applicants must be able to accept the Transition Assistance Fund Grant Agreement and the Ocean Stewardship Fund Privacy Policy below.
Applications must be submitted in English via email to [email protected]
Date of issue: | 15 September 2022 |
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Date of issue: | 15 September 2022 |
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Date of issue: | 15 September 2022 |
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Date of issue: | 15 September 2022 |
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Date of issue: | 15 September 2022 |
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Date of issue: | 15 September 2022 |
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Previous recipients
Since 2020, 15 fishery improvement projects in Indonesia, India, Mexico and South Africa, verified through the In-Transition to MSC program, have received financial support through the Ocean Stewardship Fund.
In 2022, £280,000 was awarded to 6 fishery improvement projects:
- Rebuilding snapper and grouper stocks in Indonesia
- Improving and promoting best practices in the Yucatan Octopus fishery
- Empowering Indonesian shrimp fishers to improve their practices
- Managing mudcrab stocks in a Coastal Conservation area in Indonesia
- Improving understanding of different stocks in the Mexico Pacific artisanal shrimp fishery
- Strengthening traceability in the Kotabaru shrimp fishery
Find out more

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

Supporting small-scale fisheries
The MSC is committed to providing equal access for all fisheries seeking MSC certification.

Fish for Good
Fish for Good is a four-year project aiming to guide fisheries in Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa on their journey towards sustainability.