Wild Living Resources Profile
Marine Stewardship Council
About MSC:
Seafood is vital to millions of lives as a source of food, economic livelihood and environmental
well-being. Current UN estimates tell us that around 24% of fish stocks worldwide are depleted or
in danger of depletion and another 52% are being fished at their biological limit. Further to that,
seven of the top ten marine fish species – which together account for about 30 percent of all
capture fisheries production – are either fully exploited or over-exploited. Clearly, what we once
thought of as an inexhaustible supply of food is seriously under threat and the consequences
could be disastrous for our own and future generations.
But there is some good news: the MSC's pioneering eco-label provides a positive and workable
solution that is backed by fishing communities and marine environmentalists alike. Since its
founding the MSC has managed, with limited resources, to bring 4% of the world’s edible wild
fish under its programme. There is a powerful sense of momentum surrounding the MSC’s work
at this time, but it is vital that we are able to build on the success of what has been achieved to
date.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent, global, non-profit organisation with its
head office based in London, UK. In a bid to reverse the continued decline in the world's
fisheries, the MSC is seeking to harness consumer purchasing power to generate change and
promote environmentally responsible stewardship of the world's most important renewable food
source.
The MSC has developed an environmental standard for sustainable and well-managed fisheries. It
uses a product label to reward environmentally responsible fishery management and practices.
Consumers, concerned about overfishing and its environmental and social consequences will
increasingly be able to choose seafood products which have been independently assessed against
the MSC Standard and labelled to prove it. This will assure them that the product has not
contributed to the environmental problem of overfishing.
Though operating independently since 1999, the MSC was first established by Unilever, the
world's largest buyer of seafood, and WWF, the international conservation organisation, in 1997. It
is this exciting and unique green-business partnership that has been praised by world leaders.
The MSC has succeeded in bringing together a broad coalition of supporters from over 100
organisations in more than 20 countries.
Fisheries:
The MSC promotes equal access to its certification programme irrespective of the size, scale,
type location or intensity of the fishery. The MSC also recognises the need to observe and
respect the long term interests of people dependent on fishing for food and livelihood.
The MSC’s environmental standard for sustainable fishing, the Principles and Criteria for
Sustainable Fishing, is based on the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The MSC
Standard is constantly reviewed by an independent group of fisheries experts (Technical Advisory
Board) from around the world. Under its voluntary scheme, fisheries around the world can apply
to be independently assessed against this standard. This assessment is not undertaken by the
MSC but by independent certification bodies that have been independently accredited by
Accreditation Services International (ASI) to perform MSC assessments.
This ensures that evaluations are unbiased, credible and open to transparent stakeholder
involvement. Companies judged by the MSC to be competent to assess fisheries to its standard
undertake a rigorous assessment of fisheries wishing to achieve certification to the MSC
Standard. If a fishery meets the MSC Standard, it is then certified. Once certified, companies
wishing to use the MSC products undergo a Chain of Custody certification that guarantees
traceability of MSC-labelled seafood, ensuring that it has been separated from non-certified
product at every stage of the production from the boat to the plate. Those companies then gain
the right to use the MSC logo on their products.
Accredition:
In order to obtain accreditation to assess fisheries or companies against the MSC Standard for
fisheries certification or chain of custody, certification bodies must meet specified requirements as
stated in the MSC Accreditation Manual. ASI – Accreditation Services International GmbH is the
independent organisation that accredits MSC certifiers.
Certification Process:
Certification to the MSC standard is a multi-step process, which is carried out by an independent
organisation approved by the MSC called the certification body. The formal document that guides
this process is called the MSC Fisheries Certification Methodology (available in WLR Resource
Centre).
The methodology used by the independent certification bodies includes procedures designed to
transparently identify and address issues about target stock(s), the impact of fishing on the
marine environment and the effectiveness of the fishery’s management system.
Among other things these procedures include:

Formal stakeholder consultation.

Detailed public reporting of information and operational performance measures used in the
assessment.

Standardized multi-criteria methods for combining the operational performance measures into
an overall score for the fishery.

Identification of conditions to improve weaker performance.

Peer review of the assessment.

A formal objections procedure.
The MSC has developed a number of helpful information sheets (available at WLR) that will
assist those interested in considering attaining fisheries certification.
These are:
1.) How to
choose a certification body; 2.) Who is a client? 3.) The Unit of Certification explained; 4.) Costs
explained; 5.) Roles and responsibilities explained
Global Outreach:
As an international organisation the MSC engages across the world in an ongoing programme of
outreach to all its stakeholders including fishing organisations, conservationists, processors,
retailers, governments and consumers.
1,) NGO Outreach:
As part of its global outreach programme, the MSC works to specifically
include conservation and environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in all aspects of
its work. The MSC aims to:

Work with environmental NGOS to increase their understanding and participation in the
MSC process.

Ensure that communication with environmental NGOs is an integral part of the MSC
process.

Ensure that the views of environmental NGO groups are well represented within all areas
of the MSC’s work.
2.) Developing World Outreach:
The MSC seeks to promote equal access to its certification
programme irrespective of size, scale, location and intensity of the fishery. It is particularly
important that the MSC programme is relevant to developing countries. In the light of this, the
MSC outreaches extensively to developing country fishery stakeholders and has a programme
specifically designed to facilitate participation from developing nations in the MSC’s programme.
The Developing World Fisheries Programme seeks to:


Increase developing country stakeholder awareness and involvement in the MSC
Ensure continued relevance and application of the MSC Standard and programme to
developing country fisheries
To facilitate grassroots involvement in the MSC, the MSC has committed to a regionally
structured outreach process. This is designed to increase participation in the regions and enable
the MSC to more adequately cater for the interests of both developing and developed country
stakeholders.
3.) Fisheries Outreach:
The MSC is a global organisation with offices located in the United
Kingdom, the United States and Australia.
Any wild-capture fishery, irrespective of size (large,
medium or small) may be considered for assessment against the MSC Standard for well-managed
and sustainable fisheries.
To promote sustainability issues and the MSC programme, staff in each office outreach widely
within Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific regions. The
outreach
programme
includes
visits
to a
broad
range
of
stakeholders
from fishers
to processors, retailers to management agencies and government officials. Outreach also includes
discussions with conservation groups and representatives from the general community.
The target areas for fisheries outreach are the North East Atlantic, North and Latin America,
Australasia, Asia Pacific and other developing world countries.
Case Study Examples:
1.) Commercial - Tuna Initiative
UK
supermarket
chain
Sainsbury's
has
sponsored
a three-year
project to investigate
the
management of tuna fisheries around the world and how the Principles and Criteria for
Sustainable Fishing may apply to these fisheries.
Ultimately, it is hoped that in the future,
consumers will be able to choose tuna from a sustainable source, endorsed by the MSC.
A preliminary review of every main commercial tuna fishery in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian
oceans has been undertaken with more detailed reviews of particular fisheries taking place.
In
December 2005, the American Albacore Fishing Association (AAFA) announced that it had
entered the full assessment stage of the MSC programme
2.) Developing World Communities – small can be beautiful
The MSC is not just about the highly industrialised fishing nations; our programme is open to all
fishing communities regardless of scale or location. Last year the first Developing World fishery
was successfully certified, the Mexican Baja California Spiny Lobster.
Developing coastal nations account for some 50% of the international fish trade and 200 million
people living in them are reliant on fishing for their livelihoods, not just for the food they eat. So
it is absolutely vital that the MSC works with these countries to preserve their economies and
cultures.
Whilst there are some huge industrial outfits, the vast majority of developing world fisheries tend
to be small, artisanal and community based, without the kind of statistics used by certifiers to
calculate impacts on marine life. As a solution we are developing new guidelines for their
assessment incorporating the role of traditional ecological knowledge and practice.
Resource Documents Available (Those in bold are available from WLR)
MSC. (2002). Marine Stewardship Council: Annual Report 2002/03. Pp1-9
MSC. (2004). Marine Stewardship Council: Annual Report 2003/04. Part 1.
MSC. (2004). Marine Stewardship Council: Annual Report 2003/04. Part 2
MSC. (2005). Marine Stewardship Council: Annual Report 2004/05. 2.4MB. pp. 1-5.
MSC.
(2006). Marine Stewardship Council: Annual Report 2005/06. 1.8MB. pp1-28.
Agnew, D., C. Grieve, P. Orr, G. Parkes and N. Barker. (2006). Environmental benefits
resulting from certification against MSC’s Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing.
MRAG UK Ltd and Marine Stewardship Council, London. 2MB. 134 pp.
Stewart, W. (2005).
Using AHP and Expert Choice to Support the MSC Fisheries Certification
Process. Hartley McMaster Ltd, UK. Version 2.0 pp. 1-75.
MSC. (2006).
Fishery assessment final stages flowchart: Outline of The Process to be Followed
during Last Stages of MSC Assesment. 1p.
MSC. (2006). Flowchart detailing the Timeline for Determination and Objections: Timeline for the
Determination and Objections in the MSC Fishery Assesment Process.
MSC. Managing fisheries for the future with the MSC. 0.4 MB, pp. 1-4 .
MSC.
(2005). Marine Stewardship Council Guidance to potential or actual clients: The MSC
Fishery Assessment & Certification Process. Version 1-4, pp 1-17
MSC. Protecting Fisheries, Improving Livelihoods:
The MSC Developing World Programme.
1.88MB. pp 1-6.
MSC. (2005). Guidance to Clients: With the MSC Assessment & Certification Process.
Choose a Certification Body. Information Sheet 1. pp. 1- 3.
How to
MSC. (2005). Guidance to Clients: The MSC Fishery Assesment and Certification Process.
Information Sheet 2. Who Is A Client. 37.5kb. pp. 1-2 .
MSC.
(2005).
Guidance to Clients: The MSC Fishery Assesment and Certification Process.
MSC.
(2005). Guidance to Clients: The MSC Fishery Assesment and Certification Process.
Information 3.The Unit of Certification explained. 27.9kb. pp. 1-3.
Information Sheet 4. Costs explained. 34.1kb. pp1-3.
MSC. (2005). Guidance to Clients: The MSC Fishery Assesment and Certification Process.
Information Sheet 5.
Roles and responsibilities explained. 31.3kb. pp1-2
MSC. (2006). Add value to sustainable seafood with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
598kb.
pp1-4.
MSC. (2006). Add value with the Marine Stewardship Council MSC. 374kb. pp 1-2.
Camiel Derichs.
(2006)
. Matching Product to Market: Fisheries Fact Sheets Feedback and
Discussion. Presented on 6th November 2006 to the European Commercial Group meeting
London.
Agnew, D., Tim, B. Addressing Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing: Issues, Initiatives
and the MSC Programme Presentation. Declaration of Support for the MSC by the current and
all previous living UK Secretaries of State for the Environment. 5.52 MB. 29 slides.
Links
The Billingsgate Seafood Training School aims to provide young
people with the relevant skills for a career in the food service or
fish industry.
Fisheries in England and Wales wishing to engage with the MSC
programme are eligible for grants from the Department for
Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Click here to
download the DEFRA Shopper's Guide to Green Labels.
earthdive is a revolutionary new concept in ‘citizen science’ and a
global research project for millions of recreational scuba divers,
snorkellers and others who can help to preserve the health and
diversity of our oceans.
#The EP@W on-line Sustainable Food Guide helps food
providers create a market for more sustainable farming,
processing and distribution.
This is a search engine
GREEN GLOBE 21 is the worldwide benchmarking and certification
program which facilitates sustainable travel and tourism for
consumers, companies and communities. It is based on Agenda 21
and principles for Sustainable Development endorsed by 182
governments at the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in
1992.
ICES co-ordinates and promotes marine research in the North
Atlantic, working with an international community of over 1600
marine scientists from 19 member countries.
The Hoki Fishery Management Company Ltd represents the
collective interests of the owners of hoki quota. The New
Zealand hoki fishery has been certified to the MSC standard.
# The ISEAL alliance is an association of leading international
standard setting certification and accreditation organisations that
focus on social and environmental issues. The MSC is a member
of ISEAL.
John West Australia is the only company offering MSC-labelled
canned red and pink salmon for sale in Australia. The salmon
comes from the Alaska salmon fishery which was certified as
meeting the MSC's environmental standard in September 2000.
Based in Washington, USA, The Marine Fish Conservation
Network (Network) is a coalition of over 155 national and
regional environmental organisations, commercial and
recreational fishing groups, aquariums, and marine science
groups dedicated to conserving marine fish and to promoting
their long-term sustainability.
This website aims to provide a directory of aquariums of the
United Kingdom, highlighting the activities and special features of
each one. It also includes news and information on some non-UK
aquariums and on the conservation and management of aquatic
habitats globally.
Philip Plisson is a French photographer specialising in marinerelated photography. He has kindly donated images to the MSC
photo library.
SeaBritain 2005 is a national maritime celebration on a grand
scale. With festivities and events throughout 2005 and beyond,
SeaBritain 2005 celebrates the ways in which the sea touches all
of our lives.
#Seafood Choices Alliance is a global trade association for the
issues surrounding ocean-friendly seafood. Founded in the United
States in 2001, the Alliance works with the seafood industry –
from fishermen and fish farmers to distributors, wholesalers,
retailers and restaurants – to create an environmentally and
economically sustainable marketplace. The Alliance now has
offices in London and Paris, as well as Washington DC and staff
posted throughout the world.
The MSC was first established in 1997 by WWF and Unilever, but
has been fully independent since 1999. WWF remains a supporter
of the MSC.
Simply Sustainable (www.sustainability.mfe.govt.nz) is a webbased toolkit, which helps New Zealand businesses implement
sustainable business practices.
©Marine Stewardship Council 2002
Useful Contacts:
Position
Name
Email:
Fishery Certification Consultant
Dr.Chet Chaffee
chaffe3@attglobal.net
Chain of Custody Certification
Aaron Maizlish
amaizlish@scscertified.com
Fisheries Assessment Manager
Daniel Suddaby
daniel.suddaby@msc.org
Fisheries Assessment Manager Alice McDonald
alice.mcdonald@msc.org
MSCI's Logo Licensing
Alex.Hickman@msc.org
Consultant
Manager
Alex Hickman