Over three quarters of global whitefish catch now certified as sustainable

Multiple leading whitefish fisheries set to celebrate over 20 years of sustainability as global milestone is reached

More than three-quarters of the world’s whitefish catch is now certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), marking a major milestone for the seafood industry.  

This achievement, revealed in the 2025 Sustainable Whitefish Yearbook, not only underscores whitefish’s central role in driving the growth of a thriving, responsible seafood market, but is testament to the long-term commitments of a selection of whitefish fisheries across the globe. 

The Yearbook celebrates long-term commitments to sustainability from fisheries that have helped pave the way for this growth, including 20 years of MSC certification for Alaska pollock and South African Hake and nearly 25 years for New Zealand hoki. It also highlights newer success stories, such as Australia orange roughy, which achieved certification earlier this year after more than a decade of collaborative work with multiple stakeholders to restore the fishery. 

Thanks to the sustained efforts of leading whitefish fisheries steady supplies of certified catch have been maintained, while fuelling innovation and growth, the report describes.

Over 60 different whitefish species now carry the MSC label across the globe, from the popular pollock and cod to less widely known pikeperch, sablefish and various rockfish reflecting growing diversity and widespread commitment from the industry towards sustainability. 

Whitefish now accounts for almost half of all seafood that is either MSC certified, under assessment, or part of the MSC’s Improvement Program. These species are available in a wide range of options from frozen and chilled products to surimi, ready meals, and restaurant offerings certified, meaning the opportunity to enjoy sustainable whitefish is greater than ever before. 
 
Created as a market-based program for sustainable fishing to drive change on the water, the MSC program has been a catalyst for progress in global fisheries. 2025’s Yearbook showcases the fisheries delivering measurable impact not just in marine environments, but across supply chains and fishing communities. It also details how leading retailers and brands are leveraging the MSC label to meet rising consumer expectations for sustainable seafood, and for the first time lists the leading market brands for whitefish by country. 

Nicolas Guichoux, MSC’s Chief Program Officer said: “Whitefish represents one of the most compelling sustainability success stories in seafood. Many of these fisheries have now maintained certification for decades and continued to improve their practices, demonstrating not only their long-term commitment to operating responsibly but the clear commercial incentive of doing so as well. 

“Consumer demand for sustainable whitefish remains strong. Despite recent economic pressures and global supply chain challenges, certified fisheries have consistently met this demand and we’re now seeing growth through the entry of new fisheries and diversification into additional species. 

“By partnering with some of the world’s best-managed whitefish fisheries, we’re helping to build a more resilient, responsible supply chain, one that supports the sustainability of these high-volume, high-demand products for now and generations to come.”