Strong fishery management practices are helping to maintain steady supplies of sustainable whitefish, including hake, hoki, pollock and cod, despite record breaking marine temperatures displacing stocks as fish seek cooler waters, according to a new report published by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) today.
The 2026 Sustainable Whitefish Yearbook shows 71% of all whitefish catch remains MSC certified, sourced from well-managed fisheries that can adapt to protect stocks.
The report also spotlights whitefish as a food staple around the world, as a high-quality protein and how the diversity of MSC certified supply is important for businesses and consumers looking for sustainably sourced seafood.
The report outlines other facts and market insights about the category, with its huge diversity, as more than 60 species fall under the 'whitefish' label from pollock to rockfish. The species remains popular with available options ranging from frozen to surimi products bearing the MSC ecolabel.
The report recognises the achievements of specific fisheries, including the British Columbia groundfish trawl fishery which has worked alongside NGOs to reduce its impact on seabed habitats and the recently recertified New Zealand hoki fishery which has now been certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard for 25 years. It also gives recognition to several pioneering hake fisheries in South Africa, Namibia and the UK.
Whitefish now accounts for almost 40% of all seafood that is either MSC certified, under assessment, suspended, or part of the MSC’s Improvement Program. The Yearbook highlights many examples of fisheries' continuous improvement in sustainable management, through measurable efforts to deliver a positive environmental impact.
Nicolas Guichoux, MSC’s Chief Program Officer said: “Climate change is disrupting fish stocks globally, but certified whitefish fisheries are among the most resilient and should be celebrated as a sustainability success story. Research shows well managed fisheries that take a scientific approach, can effectively monitor the health of stocks and respond quickly to stock variations, making them best placed to adapt to global warming.
“With multiple healthy whitefish species, the seafood sector has a diverse supply to source from and with long-term commitments they can enable MSC certified fisheries to continue to improve their practices and safeguard fish stocks and the marine environment.”