Fishery Certifications: Do They Even Mean Anything?

A lot has been said about fishery certifications. Most of them stand for cleaner oceans, sustainable fishery practices, and climate-friendly policies. But do they actually live up to these claims, or are they just another example of greenwashing? This article critically examines key certifications against several criteria to uncover the truth.

Key Certifications and Their Objectives

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

The MSC certification aims to ensure sustainable fishing practices, focusing on fish stock health, minimizing environmental impact, and effective management (MSC, 2024).

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

The ASC emphasizes responsible aquaculture, promoting environmentally and socially sustainable fish farming (ASC, 2024).

Friend of the Sea (FOS)

FOS focuses on sustainable wild and farmed seafood, marine habitat protection, and social accountability (FOS, 2024).

Criteria Analysis

What Does the Certification Stand For?

All three certifications claim to support sustainability. However, their definitions and criteria vary. The MSC is more focused on wild-capture fisheries, while the ASC covers aquaculture, and FOS encompasses both sectors but with less stringent data verification (FAO, 2024).

How to Get Certified?

The process for obtaining certification typically involves a pre-assessment, a full audit, and compliance with set criteria. MSC certification, for instance, requires detailed scientific data and independent assessments, making it rigorous but time-intensive (FAO, 2024).

Cost of Certification

Costs vary significantly. MSC certification can range from $10,000 to $250,000, depending on the fishery size and complexity. In contrast, FOS certification starts at around $2,000, reflecting its less rigorous process (FAO, 2024).

Time to Obtain Certification

Timeframes also differ. MSC certification can take years, as evidenced by the four-year process for Alaska pollock. FOS certification is quicker, often completed within weeks, due to its simpler methodology (FAO, 2024).

Renewal Requirements

Certifications are not permanent. MSC certificates are valid for five years, with annual audits required. ASC and FOS require regular re-assessments to ensure ongoing compliance (FAO, 2024).

Use of Contributions

Funds collected by certifying bodies are used for operational costs, marketing, and educational initiatives. However, concerns about transparency remain, particularly for FOS (FAO, 2024).

Transparency of Fund Allocation

While MSC publishes financial reports, FOS and ASC have been criticized for limited transparency in fund allocation, raising questions about their credibility (FAO, 2024).

Fraud Prevention and Public Trust

To prevent fraud, certifications rely on traceability systems and independent audits. MSC, for example, uses a chain-of-custody mechanism to verify product origins, whereas FOS’s reliance on self-reported data raises reliability concerns (FAO, 2024).

Conclusion

Fishery certifications play a vital role in promoting sustainable practices. However, their effectiveness and credibility vary widely. While MSC stands out for its rigorous standards and transparency, its high costs and time requirements pose challenges. FOS offers a quicker and cheaper alternative but at the expense of thoroughness and trust. The ASC strikes a balance but still has room for improvement in transparency. As consumers, staying informed and critically evaluating these certifications is essential to supporting truly sustainable practices.