It is 10 years since the first fishery entered its programme the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has published a new report: ‘Net Benefits: The first ten years of MSC certified sustainable fisheries’.
The report was launched at the MSC’s first Global Sustainable Seafood Lunch taking place around the globe. It is said that in the first 10 years of MSC has 42 certified sustainable fisheries. In fishers’ own words ‘Net Benefits’ tells stories of socio-economic and environmental benefits of all 42 fisheries certified during the first ten years of MSC certification. Together these fisheries supply close to four million metric tonnes of seafood to markets all over the world – over seven percent of the total global capture production for direct human consumption.
According to Rupert Howes, CEO MSC, their vision is one of oceans teaming with life and seafood supplies safeguarded for this and future generations. He added that a decade after the first fisheries sought to become MSC certified, we wanted to hear what difference MSC certification had made to their businesses, lives, and management of the oceans. The answers were as diverse as the fisheries themselves and some were truly astounding.
Most fisheries report some kind of economic benefits. These range from the maintenance of existing markets; more stable prices; and in some cases price premiums of up to 25 percent. Interestingly it seems to be the smaller, more traditionally operating community based fisheries that report the biggest price premiums. Rupert Howes adds that the stories told by the men and women representing MSC certified fisheries make a clear case for a growing global demand for credible certified sustainable seafood; creating a market that is encouraging positive change in the way the oceans are fished.
