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The MSC Fisheries Standard is used to assess if a fishery is well-managed and sustainable.
When a fishery is successfully certified to the Fisheries Standard, its certified catch can be sold with the blue MSC label.Certification to the MSC Fisheries Standard is voluntary. It’s open to all fisheries who catch marine or freshwater organisms in the wild. This includes most types of fish and shellfish.Fisheries are assessed by accredited independent certifiers (called Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) – also called certification bodies), not the MSC.
Are enough fish left in the ocean? Fishing must be at a level that ensures it can continue indefinitely and the fish population can remain productive and healthy.
What are the impacts? Fishing activity must be managed carefully so that other species and habitats within the ecosystem remain healthy.
Are operations well managed? MSC certified fisheries must comply with relevant laws and be able to adapt to changing environmental circumstances.
The Fisheries Certification Process (FCP) accompanies the Fisheries Standard. It is the instruction manual for certification bodies and defines the processes they must follow when assessing a fishery against the Fisheries Standard. This ensures a robust, transparent and credible assessment process.
The Fishery Certification Process is regularly reviewed. An updated version of the requirements was published in late 2018. Another review of the Fisheries Certification Process was published in March 2020.
The latest version is available for certification bodies on our Fisheries program documents page. You can also read a Summary of Changes.
MSC certification confirms your fishery is well-managed and is sustaining resources and livelihoods for future generations. Learn about the benefits.
What you need to know to get certified. We are here to help you before, during, and after the process.
Information for and about Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) accredited to carry out assessments to the MSC Standards.
The MSC Fisheries Standard and General Certification Requirements. For certifiers and clients.
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