MSC – Marine Stewardship Council

The MarineStewardship Council (MSC) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation with the objective to promote sustainable fishing – that is, fishing within limits, so that the natural populations are ecologically viable (long-lived). Overfishing is one of the most pressing global issues we must face in the near future, with the fish stocks thinning out after many years of irresponsible fishing, and the human population ever growing. Fish is a key source of basic and nutritious food around the world, and many cultures, most significantly the Japanese, depends on a rich supply of diverse fish.

We all want plenty fish with out food, but if we keep catching more than what can be replenished naturally, the fish stocks are in danger of total collapse. Image from http://www.actionforourplanet.com/#/overfishing/4569962196

The MSC gives the MSC Certificate to fisheries that meet their firm criteria for sustainable and responsible fishing. The fisheries are rigorously assessed against three main criteria:

• are they fishing at sustainable levels?
• does their fishing methods and levels have minimal impact on the ecosystem?
• does the fishery abide national and international regulations and laws?

The assessment is made by several independent scientists, who make detailed checks and match the results against strict requirements. If the fishery meets the standards, it receives the MSC Certificate.

However, the really remarkable thing about the MSC is that it does not end there: it traces the product through the entire supply chain – all the way from catchment to transport, storage, preparation, packaging to selling – and ensures the fish is being handled responsibly, and not mixed with non-certified seafood. Thus, the MSC Certificate confirms that the fish you buy has been handled appropriately, from the water to the shop.

The MSC logotype certifies that the labelled product has been caught, prepared and transported 

according to strict environmental standards, in particular responsible fishing levels,

 so that we ensure a continued supply of fish for future years. 

Image from http://www.orkneycrab.co.uk/news.php?ID=5

I love salmon above all fishes, but it is facing serious overfishing issues (though not close to as much as other fishes). If I buy salmon bearing this logo, I am supporting fishing methods that take care not to drain the natural fish stocks, so I can eat as much as I want with clean conscience! Haha! Picture from 

http://www.wwf.ca/fr/conservation/marine/produits_de_la_mer_durables/ce_que_fait_le_wwf/

Fisheries who feel they are using ecologically sustainable and environmentally friendly methods can volunteer for screening by the MSC process. If they (manage to) receive this mark, their products will be more attractive, as the logotype ensures high environmental quality.

The MSC also actively seeks out larger companies and food chains and strive to impose their regulations on these, in order to make larger impacts on the seafood market. Two noticeable examples are Walmart, one of the larges grocery chains in the US, which had 76 % of their sea food sales coming from MSC Certified suppliers in January 2012, and keep pushing all their suppliers to strive actively for achieving such standards; and McDonals, albeit primarily meat-based, but which still is hugely popular, and has achieved the MSC certificate at least within Europe. Such success stories for the MSC is invaluable, both in terms of reaching closer to true impact on global fishing standards, but also in terms of publicity – if these well-known companies proudly display their MSC mark, it will draw people’s attention towards this organisation.

Perhaps the greatest challenge for the MSC at present is that it is not well known. From what I can tell, it has been immensely successful, and is still growing purposefully, which is fabulous news for the environment. When it comes to opening the minds of the general public to its importance and its quality work and what its mark really means, however, it is not as easy as it seems.

This is where we come in…

Tell your friends, tell your neighbours, tell anyone you can think of about the MSC and spread its message and methods around. Think for yourself about how important fish is for you, and start looking for which fish venders near you support sustainable fishing.

Here is a playlist with some good YouTube videos about the MSC, which I strongly recommend you to watch when you have a bit of spare time. It gives you the basics of the MSC purpose and method, as well as some striking facts and thoughts to note. (The playlist can also be found on http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP2SgXNUR27CiAqACp-YQ7y8IPrZ7lBx4&feature=mh_lolz)