Marine Stewardship Council Certification: Verifies sustainable wild-capture fisheries and seafood chain of custody

What’s Required

1. Fisheries Standard assessment

Fisheries seeking MSC certification are assessed against the MSC Fisheries Standard. The standard sets requirements that a fishery must meet to claim that its fish come from a well-managed and sustainable source.

Fisheries may need to demonstrate:

• Sustainable fish stock status.

• Effective harvest strategy.

• Ecosystem impact management.

• Bycatch and habitat management.

• Fishery governance.

• Legal compliance.

• Data and monitoring.

• Management response to risks.

2. Chain of Custody certification

Businesses that take ownership of MSC-certified seafood and want to sell it as certified need MSC Chain of Custody certification. This certification verifies an unbroken chain where certified seafood is identifiable, separated from non-certified products and traceable to another certified business.

Supply-chain companies may need:

• Certified supplier checks.

• Product identification controls.

• Segregation of certified and non-certified seafood.

• Traceability records.

• Volume reconciliation.

• Staff training.

• Label and claims controls.

• Audit records.

3. Use of the MSC blue fish label

Companies using the MSC label must ensure that the product is eligible, certified, and covered by the relevant Chain of Custody scope. The label assures that seafood sold with the blue MSC label comes from an MSC-certified sustainable fishery.

4. Independent third-party certification

MSC certification is conducted by independent third-party certification bodies. Both fisheries and supply-chain organizations are assessed against MSC certification requirements and program documents.

5. Ongoing audits and surveillance

Certification is not a one-off marketing claim. Fisheries and supply-chain companies must maintain systems and undergo regular assessment to keep certified status. The Chain of Custody Standard is regularly assessed by independent certification bodies.

Important Deadlines

MSC is voluntary, so there is no universal legal deadline.

Important timing points:

• Certification timing depends on fishery assessment, stakeholder consultation, corrective actions, and certification body decision.

• Supply-chain certification timing depends on Chain of Custody audit, evidence, and certification body review.

• The MSC Chain of Custody Standard was last reviewed in 2019, with several updates effective in May 2023, including labor eligibility requirements and a digital audit platform.

• Companies should check current MSC program documents before making claims or using the label.

Current Status

MSC Certification is active and globally used. MSC describes its program as the world’s most recognized seafood certification program, covering sustainable wild-capture fisheries and traceable seafood supply chains.

Current status:

• Active global certification and ecolabel.

• Applies to wild-capture marine and freshwater fisheries.

• Includes Fisheries Standard and Chain of Custody Standard.

• Uses independent certification bodies.

• Supports traceability and product labeling.

• Relevant to retailers, seafood brands, processors, distributors, and fisheries.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

MSC does not impose statutory penalties.

Possible consequences include:

1. Certification refusal

A fishery or company may fail certification if requirements are not met.

2. Suspension or loss of certification

Certified entities may lose certification if non-conformities are not addressed.

3. Loss of label or claim rights

Companies may lose the right to use the MSC label or claims if the product is not certified or outside the certificate scope.

4. Contractual consequences

Failure to maintain MSC certification may affect buyer contracts, tenders, procurement, or retail listing.

5. Reputational and greenwashing risk

Unsupported sustainable seafood claims can create reputational and legal risk under consumer protection or green claims rules.

Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes

Typical failure modes include:

• Claiming MSC certification without a valid certificate.

• Using the MSC label on non-certified seafood.

• Mixing certified and non-certified seafood without proper controls.

• Selling seafood as MSC-certified outside the Chain of Custody scope.

• Missing supplier certificate checks.

• Incomplete traceability records.

• Volume mismatches in certified seafood accounting.

• Treating MSC as proof of compliance with all fisheries law.

• Making ocean-positive claims beyond certification evidence.

• Continuing claims after suspension.

• Confusing MSC wild-capture certification with ASC farmed seafood certification.

• Not maintaining labor eligibility or audit documentation.

Resources

• https://www.msc.org/

• https://www.msc.org/en-us/standards-and-certification

• https://www.msc.org/en-us/standards-and-certification/fisheries-standard

• https://www.msc.org/en-us/standards-and-certification/chain-of-custody-standard

• https://www.msc.org/for-business/supply-chain/chain-of-custody-certification-guide

• https://www.msc.org/en-us/for-business/supply-chain-companies/get-certified