How can tuna and bonito species overcome the threat of MSC certification being suspended?

The 2021th annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was held from November 11 to December 29, 12, and it was decided that negotiations on fishing policies for skipjack tuna will be postponed until December 8, and for yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna until 18.

This decision means that the number of MSC-certified tuna and skipjack products currently on the market may decrease significantly (as of February 2022, 2). What on earth is happening?

Why was the debate postponed?

The world's skipjack and tuna resources are managed by five Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) for each marine area and species, and coastal and deep-sea fishing nations that catch the fish species under their jurisdiction participate in creating rules. One of these, the WCPFC, covers highly migratory fish resources that migrate long distances across the high seas, such as tuna, skipjack, and billfish in the western and central Pacific Ocean, including off the coast of Japan.

Each RFMO meets annually to discuss harvest strategies, which are frameworks for managing resources sustainably, and sets catch volumes, techniques (setting no-fishing areas and closed seasons) based on those strategies.^*1It determines specific measures such as these and manages their implementation by Member States.

This harvest policy is the foundation of sustainable resource management, but it has been difficult to reach agreement on the schedule and discussions have not progressed much so far. The main reason for this is the lack of prior determination of management targets.

First, the fishing strategy is decided within the RFMO based on various management objectives (e.g., early recovery of resources when they are depleted) agreed upon in advance by member countries, and scientists run an incredible number of computer simulations for each scenario (e.g., annual catch allowance), and the results are used to decide on the fishing strategy. However, the reliability of the data used, scientific uncertainty, the actual fishing situation, and the political background of the fishing industry are all important factors.^*1This variation makes it difficult to align management objectives across Member States.

World's largest tuna and bonito fishing grounds may have their MSC certification suspended

So, hereMSC NewsLet's look at the principles.

MSC certification can be obtained if all three principles are met. Principle 3 specifies the harvest strategy and principle 1.2.1 specifies the harvest control rules, as follows:^*2.
Principle 1.2.1: A credible, precautionary harvest strategy is in place
Principle 1.2.2: There are clearly defined and effective Harvest Control Rules (HCRs)

In other words, unless harvest strategies are decided by an international organization such as the WCPFC, even if the fishing area or country is properly managed, it will not meet principles 1.2.1 and 1.2.2, making it difficult to maintain certification.

All MSC-certified skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna fisheries in the Western Central Pacific are certified on the condition that harvest strategies and harvest control rules are adopted by the end of 2022. As a result of the postponement of negotiations, it has been determined that all MSC-certified fisheries for tropical tuna such as skipjack tuna will not be able to meet this condition, and there is a risk that they will reach the deadline for the suspension of certification in June 2023. The suspension of certification will remain in place until the condition regarding harvest strategies is met.

What if my certification gets suspended?

If the certification is suspended, it will have an unavoidable impact on the tuna and bonito market not only in Japan but also around the world.

The western and central Pacific Ocean is where more than half of the world's tuna and skipjack catches are caught.^*3In addition, 54% of tuna and skipjack caught worldwide are MSC certified.^*4, 85% of which is caught in this region.^*3In particular, bonito accounts for 78% of the total.^*4Additionally, the amount of MSC certified tuna and skipjack products has increased from 5 tons to 4 tons over the past five years.

From a market perspective, this may seem like a destabilizing situation at first glance, but by taking these appropriate measures, the credibility of MSC certification as a "guarantee of sustainability" is maintained, and companies and general consumers who purchase certified products are protected from greenwashing.

On the other hand, in order to operate the certification system properly, not only the fishermen and delegations directly involved in the fishery certification, but all the companies that handle certified tuna and skipjack are forced to respond. For example, MSC certification or "Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP)Retailers and distributors that have incorporated "Certified Sustainable Food and Drug Administration" into their procurement goals and policies will find it difficult to meet their sourcing targets if their certification is suspended, and will be forced to consider alternatives.

In Japan, too, fishers and companies that have obtained certification for skipjack tuna and tuna fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean may be faced with a major crossroads.

What businesses can do

What companies can do to prepare for this is to make their voices heard and speak up as participants in the MSC program.
At this WCPFC meeting, companies and NGOs in Japan, a major consumer of tuna and skipjack, also called for a decision on fishing policies.RequestIn addition, 17 companies and NGOs, including 112 major retailers from around the world, such as Walmart and Costco, have also submitted similar petitions.声明In this way, if many market players who want to procure sustainable tuna and skipjack from around the world spread their voices calling for continued certification throughout the industry, their voices will be heard at the meeting as an international request that goes beyond national interests.

In addition, even if certification is suspended, it is important to continue the movement to have the certification reinstated. For example, in March 2019, the MSC certification for Atlantic mackerel (Norwegian mackerel) was suspended, but the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union, together with overseas consumer cooperatives and companies, issued a "Statement on Protecting the Long-Term Sustainability of Atlantic Mackerel" and is lobbying fishing countries and fishers to have the certification reinstated.^*5.

The next meeting will be held in December 2022. All those who benefit from tuna and skipjack tuna are called to unite for the true sustainability of fisheries resources and the fishing industry.

*1 From the Fisheries White Paper 28 (Fisheries Agency, 2016)
*2 MSC Fisheries Standard Version 2.01 (MSC, 2018)
*3 Press release: "MSC Fisheries Certification for the Western Central Pacific Tuna and Skipjack Fishery is at Risk of Continuation" (MSC Japan, 2021)
*4 Annual Report 2020-2021 (MSC, 2021)
*5 Coop's Ethical (Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union, 2020)