The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has targeted one-fifth of fisheries worldwide to be certified sustainable by 2020.
According to a new analysis of the impact of sustainable seafood certification published by the MSC, certified fisheries strive for larger populations of fish in the years after certification and, compared to non-certified fisheries, show less variability in the sustainability of target stocks.
The industry body said the report ‘highlights the role of certification in delivering sustainable development goals’.
MSC chief executive Rupert Howes said: “The MSC programme provides both recognition and incentive for responsible ocean stewardship. 20 years since the creation of the MSC, certified fisheries today account for 12% of global marine catch. MSC-certified fisheries are targeting healthy and well managed stocks. They are also safeguarding marine habitats and ecosystems through ongoing commitments to improve their performance.”
The MSC report claimed that 94% of fisheries entering the programme have made at least one improvement to achieve or maintain certification, totalling more than 1,200 over the last 16 years.
The report highlights the Greenland coldwater prawn fishery’s considerable efforts to preserve habitats. The fishery launched a research project with the Zoological Society of London in response to a lack of information on sea floor habitats, leading to the discovery of a rich ecosystem and the trialling of innovative measures to protect sea pens, in addition to the designation of a marine protected area to safeguard important corals and sponges.
“Investing in science and research has been a key part of the MSC’s journey over the past 20 years,” said MSC science and standards director Dr David Agnew. “Fisheries science and management is constantly evolving. That’s why we systematically review and update our standards to reflect best practice in fisheries science. The revised edition of the MSC Fisheries Standard, released in 2014, features an increase in requirements for habitat protection.”
The MSC provides certification to fisheries, which indicates to consumers that fish stocks are being managed and tapped into sustainably. Brands often include the MSC accreditation on their products to indicate to shoppers their commitment to sustainable fishing.
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