The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has today launched its new global standard for the sustainable certification of wild capture fisheries. The release of MSC Fisheries Standard version 3.0 follows the most extensive review of marine science and fisheries best practice ever undertaken by the organisation.
Highlighting the increasing pressures on fisheries, marine ecosystems and food systems from overfishing, climate change and biodiversity loss, the MSC’s Chief Executive, Rupert Howes praised the commitment, engagement and insight the industry, fisheries managers, conservationists and scientists had shown in their contributions to the new Standard. The new requirements will drive progress in sustainable fishing, helping to address the urgent need to conserve our ocean while also feeding a growing global population, he said.
The launch of the new Standard means that fisheries catching seafood sold with the MSC’s blue label will remain leaders in sustainable fishing, going further to protect marine wildlife, fish stocks and ecosystems. The new Standard has also been streamlined to ensure language is clear and easy to understand, and to reduce complexities.
The Standard includes a new definition of, and greater protections for, endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species. It introduces a new policy to increase confidence that shark finning is not taking place within certified fisheries and puts greater responsibility on certified fisheries to prevent and reduce the impact of lost fishing gear, known as ghost gear. It also sets stronger requirements for effective monitoring and surveillance of fishing operations, particularly those on the high seas, and for international agreements on harvest strategies to safeguard shared fish stocks.
The new Standard is the culmination of more than four years’ research, public consultation and testing during which the MSC reviewed more than 600 submissions from stakeholders with expertise in fishing, ocean conservation, certification and seafood.