The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has become the first global sustainable seafood certification programme to receive recognition from the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI).
This means that the MSC is in alignment with all Essential Components of the Global Bench Mark Tool which is grounded in the GAO Guidelines of the Ecolabelling of Fish and Fishery Products.
Rupert Howes, chief executive of the MSC, said: “The MSC offers a science and evidence based program to recognise sustainable fishing practices throughout the world, rewarding existing good practice and driving real change on a global scale.”
He added: “Recognition from GSSI reaffirms the rigour and credibility of MSC certification. Anyone committing to purchase MSC certified seafood can be confident that it reflects global best practice in fisheries management.”
The GSSI benchmark was developed in consultation with environmental NGOs, global businesses, independent experts, government and intergovernmental organisations. Recognition to this benchmark required a high level of scrutiny of the MSC’s operations and included detailed stakeholder consultation.
Over 20 retailers, brand manufacturers, traders and food service companies worldwide have already committed to including the outcomes of the GSSI Benchmark Process in their daily operations.
“The MSC welcomed the thorough scrutiny of our processes and requirements that was required to achieve GSSI recognition,” added Dr David Agnew, director of science and standards at the MSC.
He concluded: “Third-party scrutiny, independence, transparency, impartiality and stakeholder consultation are central to the MSC’s values and commitment to continually improve and maintain world-leading standards.”
