MSC launches its Improvement Program

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has launched a new initiative aimed at accelerating progress in sustainable fishing practices worldwide.

Over 500 fisheries have been certified according to the MSC’s s rigorous Fisheries Standard, recognised as the leading global certification program for environmentally sustainable fisheries.

However, with overfishing on the rise - nearly 38% of global fish stocks are now overfished, according to the latest UN data - there is an urgent need for more rapid progress. The new MSC Improvement Program seeks to address this by offering fisheries support and incentives, provided they make measurable improvements over a five-year period. These improvements will be guided by an action plan that is independently verified. The launch of the Improvement Program follows a successful five-year pilot of the In-Transition to MSC (ITM) program.

Working with fishery improvement projects

This initiative complements existing Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), which operate globally, and the MSC Program has the specific ultimate goal of helping fisheries achieve MSC certification. While many businesses already source seafood from FIPs as part of their sustainable sourcing commitments, the effectiveness and impact of these projects can vary significantly. Through its Improvement Program, the MSC will provide stronger assurance that FIPs’ progress are verified and timely The Program will recognise the most effective FIPs with the aim that they enter full assessment against the MSC Fisheries Standard within five years.

Amanda Lejbowicz, MSC’s Head of Fishery Standard Accessibility, stated: “The MSC works with hundreds of committed fisheries around the world that are leaders in sustainability. However, not all fisheries are currently able to meet our Fisheries Standard, despite the growing urgency. This new initiative aims to incentivize fisheries to improve their sustainability practices. In doing so, we support not only the health of the oceans and future seafood supplies but also the livelihoods of the communities that rely on fishing.”

Incentivising improvement

Fisheries participating in the MSC Improvement Program will not be eligible to use the MSC ecolabel as their catch is not certified sustainable. However, once they achieve minimum performance requirements across all indicators and meet specific traceability requirements, they may gain access to MSC-certified supply chains. As an added incentive, retail products containing their seafood can display a back-of-pack statement indicating their participation in the program.

Proof of concept

The ITM program was the pilot that laid the groundwork for the MSC Improvement Program. It started in 2019 and was initially open to fisheries in Mexico, South Africa and Indonesia, before gradually opening to all fisheries. In August this year, ICV Africa, a component of the South African Albacore tuna pole and line fishery became the first fishery to successfully achieve full certification following inclusion in the ITM program. A second client group from the same fishery, represented by the South African Sustainable Tuna Association (SASTUNA) is currently in assessment against the MSC Fisheries Standard.