The MSC Board of Trustees has re-opened its review of the MSC’s Unit of Assessment requirements following feedback by NGOs and industry.  

The original policy decision*, in January 2018, was due to be finalised in August following further analysis, testing and consultation with more than 50 interest groups ranging across the NGO, fishing and commercial sectors. However, in that consultation, the majority of the groups consulted did not favour the chosen solution, with many concerned that it would be difficult to operationalise. Reflecting its commitment to addressing this issue, the Board has instructed the MSC to investigate alternative options over the next six months and produce a new solution which will be presented for formal consultation. 

Dr Rohan Currey, MSC Fisheries Standard Director explains: "The MSC has always welcomed constructive stakeholder engagement and dialogue. Through a transparent and inclusive process, it has become clear that there are many practical challenges to implementing the proposed revision to MSC’s Unit of Assessment requirements. In particular, the likelihood that such rules could negatively impact on developing world and small-scale fisheries. MSC is therefore reopening the review and is committed to working with our stakeholders to find the right solution to this highly-complex challenge. 

The solution we found in January clearly did not have the backing of the NGOs and industry groups involved, many of whom felt it would be difficult to apply in fisheries. As a result, we will be focusing our efforts on finding a better solution that will further strengthen the programme’s ability to catalyse improvements in global fisheries and which will have the support of these key groups." 

*In its decision of 19 January 2018, the MSC Board decided that, certified seafood would only enter MSC certified supply chains if it came from fishing trips on which all activities on the target stock were certified. This ‘Chain of Custody’ approach was subject to further analysis, testing, and consultation in line with the MSC’s consultation process.