Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification

Why in news?

To counter the trade ban, the fisheries sector in India eyes new markets with the global Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.

• MSC certification – It is a program for wild-capture fisheries that meet an international standard for sustainable fishing.
• It is also known as an ecolabel, which is voluntary and ensures sustainability in the sector.
• Objective – To ensure fishery is well-managed and responsibly harvested to sustain fish stocks and the marine environment.
• Certified products carry the blue MSC ecolabel, assuring consumers that the seafood is traceable and comes from a sustainable source.
• Based on – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s
  • Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing; and
  • Guidelines for the Eco-labelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries.
• Assessment – MSC Certification assesses a fishery by an independent, third-party certifier against the 3 principles – Stock health, Environmental impacts and Effective management.
• Validity – The certification is valid for 5 years, but it is subject to annual surveillance audits.
• Development – It is developed in consultation with a range of people and organizations around the world, including government, academics, researchers, the fishing industry and NGOs.
• At present, 20% of global fisheries are MSC certified.
• In India, the Ashtamudi clam (Paphia malabarica) was India's 1^st MSC certified fishery, and now it has lapsed, looked for reapply.
• Significance – MSC certified products often fetch a price premium of up to 30% in international markets, boosting India’s seafood export potential and helping India overcome trade barriers in global markets.

Quick Facts

References

1. The Hindu | Eco-friendly labelling of fisheries
2. PIB | India’s Fisheries at a Glance