The Marine Stewardship Council has delayed the full roll-out of its latest fisheries standard by two years.
MSC launched Version 3.0 of its Fisheries Standard in May 2023.
“Since its release, we have engaged in an intensive roll-out program, testing the new requirements with fisheries and gathering extensive feedback from independent assessors and fishery partners at workshops held around the world,” says the council.
“This process has highlighted areas that need to be amended.”
Following this preliminary roll-out, MSC is now releasing an updated standard in July 2024. Some fisheries are already moving on to Version 3.0 but, in light of the changes, MSC is giving fisheries the option to continue to use Version 2.01 for a further two years.
“A new derogation will be effective from 1 February 2024,” says MSC.
“The extended timelines will allow all changes to Version 3.0 to be made and thoroughly tested before fisheries are required to be assessed against the updated standard.
“Under the derogation, new fisheries can now use Version 2.01 until 1 February 2026 while currently-certified fisheries have until 1 November 2030 to transition to the updated Version 3.0.”
MSC has also devised a new way of assessing evidence. The Evidence Requirements Framework will launch in July 2024 followed by an independent review.
