MSC experiences in developing an operational interpretation of fisheries management best practice

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The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) developed its Standard, expressed through its Principles and Criteria, in 1997, following an extensive stakeholder consultation using as source documents international agreements such as the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The Principles and Criteria are relatively high level expressions of intent, which are translated into specific scoring criteria before a third party Conformance Assessment Body (Certification Body) can assess a fishery. MSC initially allowed CABs to develop their own specific scoring issues for each fishery under assessment, but from 2008 has defined a standard set of indicators and scoring guidelines (known as the ‘default assessment tree’) to ensure consistency in application by CABs and in the inclusion of sustainability indicators. Although the top level Principles and Criteria have not changed over the years, the default assessment tree is evolving as global fisheries management, and fisheries science, develop. For instance, the understanding of best practice management for enhanced/freshwater fisheries, ecosystem and benthic impacts, target and limit reference points, and low trophic level fisheries has advanced considerably since the mid-1990s. This paper will explore the challenges and lessons learned by the MSC in developing ways to assess the practical application and effectiveness of fisheries management systems, and in maintaining a fisheries standard as a reflection of global best practice and scientific understanding. Examples are also presented of the improvements that have been made to some management systems as a result of the incentive to meet the MSC’s standard.