Governments of coastal nations need to make stronger, measurable commitments to support sustainable fishing in order to protect ocean biodiversity, according to a new analysis of pledges to the Global Biodiversity Framework by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the World Resources Institute (WRI).
Researchers analysed commitments made by 73 coastal countries*, and collective commitments made by the EU. All included at least one fisheries-related pledge. Together they have made a total of 812 fisheries commitments. Of these, only 60% contain a measurable metric or deadline, 27% directly reference an existing policy, legal instrument or governance mechanism and just 13% do both.
The report is being launched at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP - a meeting of governments that have signed up to the UN treaty to protect biodiversity, which begins on Monday (19 October) in Yerevan, Armenia. At the fifteenth CBD COP in 2022, countries agreed on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which has set a number of goals to protect and restore biodiversity by 2030. Certification to the MSC’s Fisheries Standard for environmentally sustainable seafood is recognised under the convention as a way to scientifically measure efforts to reverse alarming declines in the world’s biodiversity.
Countries have been drawing up national biodiversity strategies and action plans to show how they will meet the GBF goals. Around half of all coastal countries have yet to submit final updated plans.**
Mike Melnychuk, MSC’s Principal Scientist said: “The new Global Biodiversity Framework, and the commitments governments make to implement it, will shape efforts to reverse biodiversity loss for years to come. So it is heartening to see near universal recognition of the importance of sustainable fishing when it comes to combatting marine biodiversity loss. Governments now need to turn their intentions into actions by strengthening these pledges with specific targets and timelines grounded in policies, laws and action plans.”
Dr Tom Pickerell, Global Director, Ocean Program, World Resources Institute said: “The upcoming CBD COP17 provides the opportunity to broaden ocean discussions beyond area-based conservation measures, particularly marine protected areas (MPAs) and the 30 by 30 target which tend to attract the most attention. These remain critically important, but this latest research from WRI highlights the need to focus not only on how much of the ocean is protected, but how effectively the entire ocean is managed to deliver lasting biodiversity outcomes.”
Examples include Portugal’s pledge to establish ways to reduce and mitigate the impacts of fishing on other marine species, through regular assessment, tech innovations and by adapting fishing practices. Success will be measured by the percentage reduction in by-catch.
Some pledges address the needs of fishers and the role of sustainable fishing as a solution to biodiversity loss. Japan commits to install fisheries community sewerage systems to improve the water in fishing ports and fishing grounds as well as the environment for fishing communities.
One of the clearest gaps identified by the research is the limited attention given to the economic forces that shape fishing pressure. Only 10% mentioned economics, markets, and supply chains. For example, Belgium pledges to encourage more development and use of economic, fiscal and financial incentives.
In a survey of over 20,000 seafood consumers worldwide in early 2026, commissioned by the MSC and carried out by insights company GlobeScan, 59% of people held governments responsible for protecting the ocean, but only 26% thought they were making a good contribution to ocean protection.
Fishing sustainably is a proven way to fight biodiversity loss, while protecting livelihoods and a vital source of healthy, low carbon food. Governments should connect their commitments to specific targets, timelines, baselines, and responsible agencies, and ground them in fisheries laws, management and financing plans to give commitments the best chance of success.
Notes to Eds
*The methodology analysed 812 fisheries-related commitments across 74 updated national biodiversity plans, known as NBSAPs of 154 coastal and island parties mandated to submit (including the European Union). Research assessed measurability, policy grounding, thematic breadth, and alignment with Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Targets.
** The US is the only coastal country not to have ratified the treaty to protect biodiversity.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organisation which sets globally recognised standards for sustainable fishing and the seafood supply chain. Fisheries representing 20% of the world’s wild marine catch are engaged in its certification program. For more information visit msc.org or visit our social media pages.
World Resources Institute (WRI) works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; ocean and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.