The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program released the results of a year-long benchmarking study which assessed the environmental credentials of wild capture certification programs.
The study confirmed that the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is currently the only wild capture certification program with a standard equivalent to Seafood Watch's strict environmental sustainability criteria.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium commissioned an independent team of scientists to compare certification programs to the same ratings system that Seafood Watch employs by examining the credibility of certification and ecolabelling programs.
The report found that MSC’s program was the only program robust enough to meet Seafood Watch’s strict criteria for environmental sustainability and also commented on MSC’s chain of custody standard which offers additional assurance through traceability solutions for consumers and seafood buyers.
As a result of the study, Seafood Watch will now:
- Describe all MSC certified fisheries as “buy recommendations” to all its partners and to consumers
- Highlight MSC certified fisheries in all information and guidance for consumers, chefs and supply chain businesses
- Cease its own assessments of fisheries that are certified to the MSC standard
“This independent study by one of the most respected and recognised marine conservation organisations in the world confirms again that the MSC program is working as intended; and that the rigor, credibility and impartiality of the MSC standard and its application continue to be judged the best in the world,” said Rupert Howes, MSC chief executive.
“This is great news for the growing numbers of consumers and businesses that want to make the best environmental choice in seafood, and well-deserved recognition of all those certified fisheries that are helping secure the future health of our marine resources.”