MSC SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD AWARDS CANADA & US

Has an up-to-date, robust, and ambitious seafood sourcing policy that prioritizes MSC certified and labeled seafood and includes categories beyond seafood that include marine ingredients. Key considerations include:

1. Strength of sustainable sourcing policy and commitments
2. Diversity in coverage across the store (private label, national brands, different categories, etc) 
3. Commitment or achievement of Chain of Custody at the store level
4. Willingness and initiative to be a driver of change for the industry
5. Strength of progress reporting against commitments
6. Inclusion of the MSC Improvement Program fisheries in sourcing policy
   

Offers a diverse, growing range of MSC labeled products including private label and proprietary brands. Key considerations include:

1. Amount of MSC labeled items offered (volume, # SKUs, # of species, # store categories) 
2. Percent growth over the last year
3. Expansion into new categories e.g., pet food, health supplements, sushi
   

Is celebratory, informative, and visible about their MSC certified seafood range, commitment, and program. Key considerations include:

1. MSC education on owned and external channels
2. Participation in MSC-led campaigns e.g., World Ocean Day, Earth Month, National Seafood Month.
3. Employee engagement efforts 
4. Participation in speaking engagements demonstrating commitment and pride in your MSC partnership.  
5. Demonstrated examples of spokespeople and organization ambassadors talking with pride and knowledge about the retailer’s MSC partnership.
   

The product has sustainability and the MSC label as one of its core attributes. It also demonstrates uniqueness through innovation, selling points, flavors, or otherwise that sets it apart in its category.

The product and its sustainability features are being actively promoted or have secured plans to be. Key considerations include:

1. Promotion and education on owned channels
2. Communicates the story of their new product’s sustainability to consumers
3. High impact / high reach outputs included in new product promotions, e.g., outdoor advertising, TV/streaming, PR/Media, etc.  
4. Participation in MSC-led campaigns e.g., World Ocean Day, Earth Month, National Seafood Month
5. Collaborations with spokespeople, ambassadors, and collaborators e.g. influencer and content creator partners
   

Has an up-to-date, robust, and ambitious seafood sourcing policy that prioritizes MSC certified and labeled seafood and other marine ingredients or products. 

1. MSC certification status and length of tenure
2. Strength of sustainable sourcing policy and commitments
3. Willingness and initiative to be a driver of change for the industry
4. Strength of progress reporting against commitments
5. Inclusion of the MSC Improvement Program fisheries in sourcing policy
6. Actively promoting MSC partnership and MSC certified products to their customers and/or suppliers
7. Active engagement with the MSC beyond certification
   

Is celebratory, informative, and visible about their MSC certified seafood range, commitment, and program. Key considerations include:

1. Communicates and promotion on owned channels e.g. website, social media, customer emails
2. Participation in MSC-led campaigns e.g., World Ocean Day, Earth Month, National Seafood Month, and others
3. Activities supporting education and awareness of MSC certified fisheries or species
4. Employee engagement efforts 
   

The significance of the improvement relative to the fishery’s previous performance and sustainability challenges, including evidence of implementation, measurable results, and lasting impact.

Improvements may relate to stock health, bycatch, habitat impacts, fishing practices, monitoring, data collection, management, or governance.

The fishery’s investment of time, funding, equipment, research, or expertise, including collaboration with harvesters, Indigenous communities, scientists, managers or other stakeholders.

The development or adoption of an innovative approach to a sustainability challenge, including its potential to provide learning or benefits for other fisheries.

The award honors an individual who, through demonstrated leadership, courage, commitment, advocacy, or innovation, has enabled, led or significantly supported initiatives or projects that drove progress in the sustainable management of a fishery (fisheries) in the MSC Certification or Improvement Programs.  

Examples can include overcoming significant barriers, challenging the status quo, or bringing together diverse stakeholders to achieve the successful completion of a fishery certification or recertification, Fishery Improvement Program milestones, strengthened stakeholder collaboration, adoption of sustainable fishing practices, improved data collection or monitoring, habitat or bycatch mitigation measures, or other measurable outcomes. 

Nominees may come from any sector, including fishing, seafood businesses, science, Indigenous leadership, fisheries management, policy, conservation, academia, or community leadership. 

This could include, though is not limited to, events, festivals, education, seafood expos, outreach, local media, competitions, or campaigns. 

  

This award honors an individual whose career has significantly advanced sustainable wild-caught seafood sector and exemplified the values championed by the Marine Stewardship Council. Their leadership, integrity, and commitment have created lasting improvements that will continue to benefit fisheries, oceans, coastal communities, and future generations.