This week we celebrate our shared Ocean. But our ocean is under pressure. Over a third of global fish stocks are overfished. World Ocean Day is our moment to show how sustainable fishing contributes to protecting our ocean.
1. More life in the ocean
Patagonian toothfish, Icelandic cod and Cantabrian anchovy have all seen stocks rebound in recent years and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that four commercial tuna species were recovering as a result of governments enforcing more sustainable fishing quotas and successfully combatting illegal fishing. MSC certified fisheries have made more than 400 fishing practice improvements in the last three years.
2. More choice
There are more than 20,000 MSC labelled products available in more than 100 countries – something for every taste and budget. The blue MSC label can be found on a wide range of products from supermarket fish fingers and McDonalds Filet-o-Fish to fresh scallops and luxury sushi.
3. More fish on the plate
It is estimated that 16 million tonnes more in catch could be generated every year if all wild-capture fisheries used sustainable practices. The MSC’s own analysis suggests that this would meet the protein needs of 72 million more people around the world every year.
4. More discovery
The MSC has awarded over $5million (£4million) to projects that help us understand and improve what’s going on under the surface of the ocean. From reducing the bycatch of turtles in the waters of Reunion, to aiding the recovery of Mexican red urchins after overfishing, the Ocean Stewardship Fund provides grants for fishery improvements and funds important research into bycatch reduction, protecting marine habitats, and the effects of climate change. MSC commits 5% of annual royalties from certified product sales to the fund and combines these with third-party donations.
5. More for local economies
Fishing sustainably ensures the future of stocks so that the practice can remain a viable livelihood for millions of people. Almost 38 million people are employed in fisheries worldwide, according to the UN FAO’s latest data from 2020. Seafood accounts for more than US $151 billion in international trade per year.
Together, we can spread the word and help people understand how much more sustainable fishing means. Learn more: World Ocean Day 2024 | Marine Stewardship Council (msc.org)
The Marine Stewardship Council is an international non-profit organisation which sets globally recognised, science-based standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability. The MSC ecolabel and certification program recognises and rewards sustainable fishing practices and is helping create a more sustainable seafood market. It is the only wild-capture fisheries certification and ecolabelling program that meets best practice requirements set by both the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) and ISEAL, the global membership association for sustainability standards. For more information visit msc.org
