Ensuring effective fisheries management systems are in place

Update best practice in the requirements for monitoring, control and surveillance 

We want to align requirements for monitoring, control and surveillance systems with current global best practice. Requirements need to be clear so that they are applied consistently by fishery assessors. 

Develop evidence requirements for scoring to strengthen fisheries monitoring

We want to make sure MSC certified fisheries are collecting consistent and reliable information on their activities, and that this information is reported clearly in assessment. To achieve this we are developing requirements which set out the type and quality of information needed to achieve certain scoring guideposts.  

Review how major issues in fisheries governance are assessed 

We are assessing whether scope requirements relating to fishing governance are fit for purpose. We are considering whether the use of scope criteria can be used to exclude individual fishers or vessels involved in illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. 

Review barriers to accessibility for small-scale and developing world fisheries

We are reviewing the accessibility of Principle 3 to make sure our requirements do not pose a barrier to small-scale fisheries or those from the Global South achieving certification. Barriers to accessibility could occur if the bar is set too high or if scoring guideposts are not clear.  

Clarify requirements in terms of the language and definitions used

We want to make sure the intent of our requirements and guidance, and the definitions used in them, are clear and unambiguous.

We have systematically reviewed our requirements including the scope criteria in relation to Principle 3. We have also completed an external review of accessibility in Principle 3.  

To develop evidence requirements, we have carried out a comprehensive review of our scoring requirements, and held workshops on fishery monitoring best practice with expert stakeholders.