Six years of collaboration between the Japan Consumers' Co-op Union and WWF: Behind the Scenes of Indonesia's Certification (Part 2)
2025
2022Years10On May 20,MSCFisheries CertificationMSCThe Fisheries Certification Standard has been revised.4What are the key points of the revisions, which were made after years of research, analysis and consultation with stakeholders?MSCAsami Takahashi, Fisheries Manager, JapanThis article was contributed by Mr.
MSCis an international non-profit organization that promotes sustainable and well-managed fisheries through certification and fishery eco-labelling in order to preserve marine resources for future generations. Its headquarters are in London.1997Founded in2022In the year25We have now reached the milestone of 2018.20We operate worldwide with offices in countries.MSCCertified fisheries worldwide500100 million tons of the world's wild fisheries catch15% are caught by certified fisheries(2022Years3As of the end of the month.MSCMarine products with the "Sea Eco Label" are2021In the year,62in the country20,000More than 100 items in Japan500More than one item has been sold.
MSCIt can be said to be the foundation of the certification system.MSCFisheries certification standards are widely recognised around the world.FAO(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)ISEAL(International Council for Certification and Labelling) It is also the only fisheries certification programme in the world that meets the requirements of both.1998Since the first edition was published in 2000, the standard has remained consistent in that it reflects the latest and most reliable scientific evidence. Fishing methods and scientific knowledge continue to evolve, and major issues surrounding the fishing industry, such as climate change and marine debris, have recently become apparent. As these changes in the situation affect the best methods for fisheries management,MSCFisheries certification standards are regularly reviewed.
The revision process that took place2018The initiative was launched in 2010 and has since been compiled through consultations with stakeholders, workshops with experts, research and analysis, and public review (public comments solicitation).46From countries275Participation of organizations600Over 10,000 comments were submitted, including from stakeholders in Japan.MSCWe will consider these opinions and further consider the advice of the mock examination and the Board of Trustees.2022Years10In May, a new fisheries certification standard (3.0(version 2.0) has been published.
The new fisheries certification standard is based on the growing social demand and issues that have emerged from the implementation of the previous standard.Endangered species・Protected species (FTPA wide range of changes have been made, including strengthening protection for species, thorough measures to prevent shark finning, and measures against ghost gear.MSC Of25This is the most comprehensive revision in the country's history.
Endangered and protected species (FTPMinimize impacts on species
Certified fisheries haveFTPThe current revision requires that the impact on species be minimized.FTPThe classification of organisms as species has been changed to a more preventative and consistent method.FTPThere was variation in the species that were evaluated as species, but the revision will allow species to be evaluated according to their resource status, reproductive characteristics, and vulnerability.FTPThis is expected to improve consistency in the review process, as it will determine whether the plant is a species or not.
In addition, the fishing industryFTPThe fisheries will be introduced to clearly assess how they will affect the recovery of the species.FTPA requirement to set certain target values has been added to the species management measures.
Enhanced shark finning prevention
Shark finning, the act of cutting off a shark's fins and discarding the remaining parts of the fish, including its body, back into the ocean, has been condemned by the international community as a cruel act.MSCThe Fisheries Certification Standard already had requirements to prevent shark finning. This revision adds the introduction of measures to prevent shark finning and the presentation of the basis for verifying their implementation, making this the minimum standard for obtaining certification. This change isMSCThis is to ensure that certified fisheries do not practice shark finning.
Ghost Gear is also strictly supported
Fishing gear that ends up in the ocean or is discarded is called "ghost gear," and it can become entangled with marine life and contribute to marine debris.MSCCertified fisheries have already been verified to have measures in place to prevent fishing gear loss as part of their assessment of the impacts of fishing operations on ecosystems and habitats, but to address these challenges, the new standard includes new requirements for assessing fishing gear loss and its impacts, including submitting records of fishing gear loss and entanglements, conducting gear tagging and recovery operations, and modifying fishing gear to reduce impacts on marine ecosystems.
What is Ghost Gear?For more details,click here）
Improving the accuracy and reliability of information in audits
A new framework has been introduced to assess the accuracy and reliability of information submitted by applicants during the assessment process, particularly for catches from fisheries operating in high seas, which are difficult to monitor.FTPA high level of objectivity is required in collecting information about species encounters, including through a degree of electronic monitoring and on-board observers.
It is hoped that this framework will standardize the type and quality of information reviewed by reviewers, improving the consistency and reliability of reviews.
Conditions for harvest strategies for straddling stocks
Resource assessments and the formulation of harvest strategies for highly migratory fish species (straddling resources) that move long distances across multiple jurisdictions, such as tuna and bonito, are primarily carried out by regional fisheries management organizations (RFMO), but because they require multilateral consultations and unanimous adoption, they tend to be complex and lengthy.
So farMSCSo, what about fisheries that are conditionally certified because their harvest strategies are deemed to be below sustainable levels during the assessment?By fisheryIn the past, action plans and deadlines for developing harvest strategies were set for each fishery.By resourcenow have uniform action plans and deadlines.
By aligning all fisheries targeting the same resources,RFMOIt is expected that this will have a major impact on facilitating the formulation of harvest strategies in various regions. Furthermore, in order to deal with uncertainties such as climate change, the content of harvest strategies will need to be precautionary and based on scientific evidence.
2023Years5New since the monthMSCFisheries undergoing assessment for fisheries certification are subject to Fisheries Certification Standard No.3.0For fisheries that were previously certified or are under assessment,2025Years11Until the end of the month, the current standard (2.01Fisheries can choose between the current version or the new version.2028Years11As of this month,3.0You must complete the transition to the current version.
Of this timeMSCSome of the changes to the Fisheries Certification Standard may be unfamiliar to you, but these changes are the result of consideration of the challenges surrounding the fishing industry and the opinions of stakeholders around the world, and reflect the demands of the global market in order for the standard to remain a leading international certification for sustainable fishing.
MSCCertification and eco-labeling programs are mechanisms for proving to consumers that fishing is properly managed and sustainable. We have explained that the proof is trustworthy, backed by consistent inspections and scientific evidence. We hope that market participants will use this background as a message to consumers when providing sustainable seafood.
Reference link 新 し いMSCPromoting fisheries sustainability through the issuance of fisheries certification standards | Marine Stewardship Council
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