Description
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent, global, non-profit organisation. It works to enhance responsible management of seafood resources, to ensure the sustainability of global fish stocks and the health of the marine ecosystem. It is supported by a broad coalition of those with a stake in the future of the global seafood supply. The MSC harnesses consumer power by identifying sustainable seafood products through an eco-label.
Mission
To safeguard the world’s seafood supply by promoting the best environmental choice
Obligations
Our duties are:
to conserve marine fish populations and the ocean environment on which they depend;
to conserve the world’s seafood supply for the future;
to provide consumers with accurate information about the best environmental choice in seafood;
to work in partnership with our stakeholders;
to ensure our programme and its benefits are available to all regardless of size or region;
to carry out our activities responsibly and openly.
Beliefs
We believe that:
the right to fish carries an obligation to do so responsibly and sustainably;
well-informed consumer choice is a positive force for conservation;
well-informed markets help environmentally responsible businesses to be more competitive;
independent certification provides credible information that everyone can trust;
Means
Our strategy is based on:
encouraging independent certification of fisheries to the MSC Standard;
identifying, through the MSC’s eco-label, products from certified fisheries;
encouraging all those who buy and sell seafood to source MSC eco-labelled products;
promoting our work and that of our partners to increase public awareness of, and support for, our programme;
monitoring, evaluating and developing the MSC Standard and programme to ensure their continued relevance and credibility.
Values
In pursuing our mission, we must be:
fair and inclusive;
impartial and independent;
reliable and professional;
open and accountable.
Aims
Our primary, measurable goals are to:
increase the overall sustainability of the world’s seafood supply;
increase the percentage of the global seafood market certified to the MSC Standard;
increase awareness of the MSC eco-label.
Behaviours
In doing so, we shall:
operate in accordance with best practice;
empower our team to perform to the best of its ability;
respect and value those with whom we work;
be an equal opportunities organisation;
learn and innovate;
demonstrate leadership and vision in our activities.