Exhibiting at Seafood Expo North America 2025

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a globally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the problem of unsustainable fishing. Established in 1997 through a collaboration between the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Unilever, the MSC operates the world’s leading certification and eco-labeling program for wild-caught seafood. Its mission is to use its certification program to drive the global seafood industry toward sustainability, ensuring healthy oceans for current and future generations.

Core Mission and Program Offerings

The MSC’s work is built around two core programs:

• MSC Fisheries Standard Certification: A rigorous, science-based assessment process that certifies wild-capture fisheries as sustainable. The standard is based on three key principles:

  • Sustainable fish stocks
  • Minimizing environmental impact
  • Effective fisheries management

• MSC Chain of Custody Certification: A traceability system ensuring that certified seafood can be tracked throughout the supply chain, from ocean to plate, providing assurance to consumers and businesses.

Both standards are independently audited by accredited third-party certifiers, and compliance is reassessed regularly to ensure ongoing improvement.

Global Reach and Impact

As of 2024, the MSC program has achieved substantial global reach:

• Over 550 fisheries certified globally, accounting for approximately 19% of the world’s marine wild catch.
• More than 20,000 MSC-labelled products available across 100 countries.
• Partnerships with leading seafood retailers, processors, and foodservice companies, including Walmart, Tesco, Carrefour, and McDonald’s.

The presence of the MSC label on a product indicates that it comes from a certified sustainable fishery and has been handled by a certified supply chain.

Specialization and Value Proposition

The MSC’s unique value lies in:

• Scientific credibility: Standards developed with input from marine biologists, fisheries experts, environmentalists, and industry stakeholders.
• Third-party validation: Transparent, independent assessment by accredited conformity assessment bodies.
• Global brand recognition: The MSC blue fish label is one of the most trusted seafood sustainability labels worldwide.
• Market access and consumer trust: Retailers and buyers often require MSC certification for shelf placement, particularly in Europe and North America.

These factors make MSC certification a market-driven incentive for fisheries to improve sustainability practices.

Financial and Organizational Structure

As a non-profit, MSC’s revenues are primarily sourced from:

• Logo licensing fees
• Grants from philanthropic organizations
• Public and private partnerships

In fiscal year 2022–2023, MSC reported a total income of £27.6 million, with £19.2 million from logo licensing, illustrating widespread adoption by global retailers and brands. Expenditure focused on program delivery, outreach, and global advocacy for sustainable fisheries.

Certification Data and Market Influence

According to MSC’s annual reports:

• Certified fisheries have improved performance by an average of 85% on at least one sustainability indicator within five years of certification.
• 92% of certified fisheries have implemented changes that reduced their environmental impact.
• 35% of global tuna catch, 50% of whitefish, and over 40% of wild-caught salmon are MSC certified.

These metrics underscore the transformative role of the MSC standard in improving global fisheries management.

Target Stakeholders

MSC works with a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Commercial fisheries seeking sustainability credentials
• Seafood processors and distributors aiming for traceability assurance
• Retailers and foodservice companies committed to responsible sourcing
• Consumers looking to support sustainable seafood practices
• Policy-makers and environmental NGOs advocating for ocean health

Certifications and Recognition

MSC is globally recognized and endorsed by:

• Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI)
• ISEAL Alliance, the global association for credible sustainability standards
• Recognized in procurement policies of governments and corporations worldwide, including the EU, UK, and USA

MSC certifications are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.

Capabilities and Infrastructure

With a presence in over 20 countries, MSC’s infrastructure includes:

• Regional offices in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania
• Multilingual educational and advocacy materials
• Interactive digital platforms for certification tracking and stakeholder engagement
• Science and Standards team responsible for periodic reviews and updates of certification criteria

This global presence allows MSC to tailor engagement and support across cultural and regulatory environments.

Customer Testimonials and Partner Recognition

"MSC certification has given our brand the credibility and trust needed to grow in sustainability-conscious markets." – Seafood supplier in Northern Europe

"We rely on the MSC label to guide our sustainable sourcing strategy. It’s the gold standard." – Global retail chain representative

These testimonials are echoed across industry case studies and stakeholder reports.

Major Achievements

• Launched the MSC Blue Fish Label, now one of the most recognized eco-labels globally.
• Contributed to measurable improvements in bycatch reduction, habitat protection, and fishery management across hundreds of fisheries.
• Partnered with over 50 NGOs and 250 scientists to continuously improve its certification criteria.
• Recognized by the UN Environment Programme and the OECD for promoting sustainable consumption and production.

The Marine Stewardship Council continues to lead the global movement for ocean sustainability, providing the tools, standards, and trust needed to drive lasting change in the seafood industry.