Conservation groups have expressed their ‘disappointment’ at the Marine Stewardship Council’s decision to delay the roll-out by two years of its latest fisheries standard.
On 31 January MSC announced it was giving fisheries until 2026 to implement Version 3.0 of its standard in light of changes to be made following industry feedback.
Make Stewardship Count, a coalition of more than 90 marine conservation groups, experts and academics have called the delay a ‘massive step backward’ in protecting endangered species and ensuring good fisheries governance.
“After wide-ranging improvements to MSC’s standard were weakened during the review process, the current standard represents what is minimally acceptable to have healthy oceans and fisheries,” said Shannon Arnold, associate director of marine programs at the Ecology Action Centre.
“Even so, MSC seems more interested in keeping fisheries in its program and generating profits than upholding its mission.”
Make Stewardship Count believes MSC is squandering a historic opportunity to make real changes in fisheries management, and accuses fishery bosses of balking at having to provide quality information on catches and environmental impact.
“With this latest move, MSC continues to lose credibility as a global leader of truly sustainable fishing,” said Dr Cat Dorey, independent fisheries advisor.
“The initial timelines provided to fisheries to implement this updated standard were generous and provided ample time to make the necessary changes. Consumers are increasingly aware of sustainability claims, and MSC is running the risk of losing its market power.”
