The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) plans to release new technical amendments to its Version 3.0 standard in July 2024 that the organization said will help correct issues with its initial release.
The MSC originally released Version 3.0 in May 2023 after a review process that began in 2018. The review included the participation of over 1,000 stakeholders and was considered one of the most comprehensive reviews ever conducted by the organization.
However, MSC delayed implementation of the revised standard after receiving feedback from a number of stakeholders that there were problems with it, including that it was too difficult to implement due to extensive information-reporting requirements and management agencies not having all the required data to meet the MSC's evidence requirements framework.
"It is clear that V3 as released has proven problematic and challenging to apply. This is deeply regrettable,” MSC Chief Executive Rupert Howes said in a release. “Our independent assessors must be able to apply the standard with confidence, and our requirements must be unambiguous for our stakeholders and practical for our fishery partners.”
As an interim measure, MSC said it will be releasing the amended standard in July, after the MSC Board of Trustees approved the changes at a meeting on 20 June. Those amendments won’t change the level of performance expected of fisheries but will “address technical issues and inconsistencies identified between guidance and requirements," MSC said. The amendments should also reduce cost and complexity.
Fisheries applying for certification for the first time can use the Version 2.01 standards until July 2026, though both new applicants and fisheries whose certifications are up for renewal can choose to be assessed against the updated standard if they wish, according to MSC.
The July release is the first phase of a more comprehensive work plan, MSC said.
“The next phase, starting in July, is a wider, more holistic review,” MSC said. “This will include the previously announced independent evaluation of the evidence requirements framework and a review of the risk-based framework, which is used to support fisheries with limited data, to ensure they work as intended.”
In the meantime, fisheries will be able to continue using the prior Version 2.01 of the MSC standard until November 2030, “allowing extensive time for preparation,” MSC said, adding it may choose to extend the deadline for implementation of the new standards at a future date.
MSC said it plans to conduct an external evaluation of how Version 3.0 was created so that it doesn't run into similar problems in the future.
“Following this holistic review, there will be a public consultation on any proposals which relate to changes in the level of performance required of fisheries,” MSC said. “Any further changes will comprehensively be tested before they are mandated for use in assessments.”
MSC Chair Giles Bolton said the delay was necessary to ensure the standard can be practically applied.
"The MSC plays a vital role in improving environmental outcomes and enabling a growing proportion of global fisheries to track and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability,” Bolton said. “The board is clear that we must have a standard which is fully tested and delivers on its intent to drive progress in our oceans while still being practical to apply on the water.”
