The Evidence Requirements Framework is being revised. The revisionswill ensure that this tool, which provides a method to evaluate the evidence used during a fishery assessment, is clear and delivers the intended sustainability outcomes.
A review of the Evidence Requirements Framework began in July 2024 as part of a wider evaluation of the MSC Fisheries Standard Toolbox. The Toolbox Review was incorporated into the Fisheries Program Revisions in July 2025.
The initial review of the Evidence Requirements Framework was carried out by an external panel of fisheries assessment experts. The members of the panel are now participating in the Fisheries Program Revisions, focusing on developing revisions to key areas of the Standard.
An initial consultation on the proposed changes to the Evidence Requirements Framework was held in 2025. Revisions will be made to requirements in the Toolbox and corresponding areas in the Fisheries Standard, and there will be a further opportunity to provide feedback on the refined proposals later in 2026.
Why are revisions needed?
The Evidence Requirements Framework was a significant new addition to Version 3 of the Fisheries Standard, but multiple issues were identified after it was introduced. These included concerns that the Framework was too complex for assessors to apply and created unintentional barriers to certification for many well-managed fisheries.
Areas of revision
An external panel of fisheries assessment experts was established to consider the Evidence Requirements Framework and propose changes. Revisions will be made to requirements in the Toolbox and corresponding areas in the Fisheries Standard.
The revisions will focus on the following key areas:
- Ensuring requirements for independent monitoring and observation coverage align with global best practice
This includes reconsidering the threshold for independent observer and electronic monitoring coverage for fisheries that operate on the high seas. - Revising the intent of the Evidence Requirements Framework and simplifying its use
The review will propose modifications to ensure the Framework provides a process for assessors to establish whether the evidence provided during an assessment is adequate to understand impacts, rather than prescribing what scores are awarded.
Simplifications will also be made to ensure the Framework is clear and can be applied efficiently, helping reducing assessment time and costs. - Reviewing consistency of language and intent between the scoring issues in the Fisheries Standard and the language in the Evidence Requirements Framework.
This will ensure cohesion between the two documents and reduce ambiguity to better deliver the intended sustainability outcomes.
The proposed revisions as of 2025 (below) were shared during a public consultation which ran between July and September 2025. These are subject to change as the Fisheries Program Revisions continues, with further stakeholder input to take place in 2026
Developing the revisions
The feedback from the 2025 public consultation has been reviewed and will be used to further improve the revisions.
Pilot tests and impact assessments will be carried out to ensure any proposed changes to the Standard and associated documents deliver the intended sustainability outcomes and can be consistently applied.
Research informing proposed revisions to the Toolbox and Standard
Several key studies were commissioned to inform the development of the proposed revisions to the Evidence Requirements Framework:
- A review of optimal levels of observer coverage, conducted by MRAG UK (2021)
- A global review of current practices in independent verification and observer coverage, also carried out by MRAG UK (2025)
- An analysis of information available on fisheries compliance, undertaken by Geir Hønneland (2025)
These studies provided valuable insights and helped ensure that proposals are grounded in the latest information on widely adopted best practice.
Next steps
A summary report from the July 2025 public consultation will be shared in April 2026.
All stakeholders and partners will have an opportunity to review the updated proposals to the Evidence Requirements Framework alongside all other proposed changes to the Standard, Toolbox and FCP. We anticipate this next stage of consultation will take place later in 2026.
We anticipate the updated versions will be issued in mid-2027 and come into effect six months after publication (likely early 2028).
If you have any questions about the Fisheries Program Revisions, please contact [email protected] or your local MSC representative.
