With all new Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) fisheries certifications shifting to version 3.0 of its fisheries standard from 1 May 2023, the non-profit organisation has confirmed there will be important changes for tuna fisheries relating to fish aggregating devices (FADs), shark-finning and impacts on protected species.
MSC advises the new standard also requires tuna fisheries to implement state-of-the-art harvest strategies, with fisheries targeting the same stock working towards shared milestones and deadlines.
This change is particularly important in the Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) where continued progress on harvest strategies is essential to the ongoing MSC certification of all tuna fisheries.
Already-certified tuna fisheries have until 1 May to apply the new requirements for harvest strategies early.
