According to a report published Tuesday by the Marine Stewardship Council, shoppers choosing MSC-labeled producer are helping to “create a wave a sustainable fishing practices around the world.”
In the MSC Global Impacts Report 2013, environmental scientists David Agnew and Nicolas Gutierrez identified almost 400 improvements in MSC certified fisheries with the average improvement action plan taking about three years to complete.
Key improvements highlighted in the report include:
• 13 fisheries have improved stock management, bringing stock levels up to accepted global best practice for healthy stocks
• 22 fisheries have completed improvement action plans targeted on habitats and ecosystems, including gear modification, additional investment in research, and new closed areas
• 64 fisheries have completed fishery management improvements including strengthened compliance with regulations.
Further commitments for improvements include:
• Reducing the impact of fishing on seabed habitats by 2016
• Providing information around impacts on Endangered, Threatened and Protected species by 2016
• Committing to producing robust harvest control rules by 2016, which will protect stocks for future generations
This is the first time the MSC has published a quantitative evaluation of its performance and impact on the oceans and seafood markets. The report is part of an ongoing research project using data sourced from existing fishery certifications to allow consistent analysis of the performance of the MSC program. Data from the MSC’s Chain of Custody and Logo Licensing programs, supported by specific research, are also presented as performance indicators.
“There’s a natural expectation from those involved in the MSC program, particularly consumers and retailers, that their actions are contributing to improving the status of the marine environment,” said Agnew. “The 2013 Global Impacts Report presents a quantitative evaluation of ‘on the water’ impacts, the contribution of the MSC to creating a market for sustainable seafood, and case studies of sustainable fisheries from across the globe.”
