MSC Fisheries Standard

The MSC Fisheries Standard is a globally recognised framework for environmentally sustainable fishing, allowing sustainably-caught fish and seafood to be sold with the MSC blue ecolabel. By helping ensure seafood is sourced in a way that protects marine ecosystems, this standard supports long-term fish sustainability.

What is the MSC Fisheries Standard?

The MSC Fisheries Standard is used to assess if a fishery is well-managed and environmentally sustainable.

This Standard defines best practice for environmentally sustainable wild-capture fishing. Fisheries are independently assessed to determine whether they meet the Standard's environmental and management criteria.

Fish from MSC certified fisheries can be sold with the blue MSC ecolabel in the UK.

Certified sustainable fisheries must demonstrate:

Healthy and abundant fish stocks
Minimal environmental impact
Effective and transparent management systems

The Standard reflects the most up-to-date understanding of internationally-accepted fisheries science and management.

We review and develop the MSC Fisheries Standard in consultation with scientists, the fishing industry and conservation groups. This process helps create a reliable foundation for sustainable seafood choices worldwide.

How MSC fisheries are assessed

The Fisheries Certification Process (FCP) accompanies the Standard. It sets out how the MSC Fisheries Standard should be interpreted by certifiers during assessments.

These fishery certification requirements make sure that the Standard is applied equally to fisheries around the world, regardless of species, fishing method, environment or size. They also give independent certification bodies the guidance and support they need to assess a fishery against the MSC Fisheries Standard.

The Fishery Certification Process is regularly reviewed and documented.

Track a fishery

Transparency is a key part of the MSC programme. You can track a fishery’s MSC certification through publicly available information, giving you confidence in the seafood you choose.

Tracking a fishery allows you to:

See how it meets the MSC Fisheries Standard
Understand stock health and environmental impact
Verify certification status

This level of openness supports informed choices and strengthens trust in MSC certified fisheries.

What is assessed?

Principle 1

Stock sustainability

Principle 2

Ecosystem impacts

Principle 3

Effective management

Developing our Standards

Every few years we review the MSC Standards so they remain relevant. Industry practices and scientific understanding evolve over time, so our Standards need to evolve too.

Read more