Small Scale Fisheries and the MSC
My National Seafood month Campaign with the MSC is quickly coming to an end. I can’t believe it’s already November! It feels like the month of October completely flew by, in no small part due to all the excitement and work happening around the SeasidewithMSC campaign!
Now, when the MSC and I first discussed working together, I told them that I wanted to spend some time talking about small-scale fisheries. My work primarily involves small scale fisheries and I’ve been aware of some of the challenges that these smaller operators face in the current seafood economy, and specifically some of the barriers they face in trying to obtain the MSC certification.
In 2021, only 18% of fisheries engaged in the MSC certification are small-scale, representing only 2.4% of total MSC certified catch. A lot of the work that I’ve done as a fisheries scientist is centered on making the global seafood economy more welcoming towards small-scale fisheries, because in order to truly achieve a sustainable seafood industry, we need both large scale and small scale fisheries. The MSC has an ambitious goal to engage over a third of global marine catch with their program by 2030. This goal also supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals. But they can only achieve this if fisheries of all sizes can use their standard.
As the global demand for seafood rises and overfishing increases, it is crucial that we ensure all fisheries can access the MSC Program – regardless of size, gear type and location.
The limited accessibility of the MSC certification to small scale fisheries is something that I’ve critiqued the certification program for in the past. In fact, it’s one of the reasons that they reached out to me! Rather than turn away from criticism, the MSC was willing to collaborate and address how their certification has fallen short in supporting small-scale fisheries in the past and discuss what they’re doing to change that. While the responsibility of certification accessibility can’t and shouldn’t fall solely to the MSC (there’s still a lot of work and investment that needs to happen at the country and resource management level), the MSC nonetheless recognizes the role that they play and are working to improve accessibility with all the tools at their disposal.
Now, let’s chat a little bit about some of the reasons small-scale fisheries may not have that access right now, due to barriers to achieving MSC certification, and how the MSC is working to make their certification more inclusive.
Challenges to obtaining MSC certification for small-scale fisheries
Small-scale fisheries can face a number of challenges on the journey to sustainability including a lack of scientific data, limited management capacity or financial resources.
Lack of scientific data
In order to obtain MSC certification, fisheries need to undergo an independent audit, during which an auditor will assess the fishery against the 28 MSC sustainability criteria. In order to make proper assessments of the fishery’s management, stock levels, and environmental impact, the auditors need to review data from the fishery. This includes data like stock status estimates and impacts on target species and habitats.
To support data-limited fisheries, the MSC created the Risk-Based Framework to help small-scale fisheries address impacts on the species they catch and on habitats and ecosystems. The Risk-Based Framework uses information provided by fishery stakeholders in workshops, and all available data to understand the impact of the fishery. In 2016, the Western Asturias octopus fishery became the first octopus fishery to achieve MSC certification after using the framework to understand stock populations.
Limited management capacity or different management practices
Many small-scale fisheries manage their fisheries using traditional or informal practices that are not always recognized properly by the scientific community, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t well-managed.
The MSC provides guidance for independent assessors to help them evaluate sustainability in these fisheries. The Ben Tre clam fishery in southeast Vietnam harvests clams by hand and is operated by local community members who have formed a cooperative. In 2009, this fishery became the first in Southeast Asia to achieve MSC certification.
Fisheries may also need to make improvements to their environmental performance before they can meet the MSC sustainability requirements. This can be challenging when they have limited management capacity or financial resources. Some fisheries sometimes find it difficult to adopt sustainable fishing practices because of lack of technical capacity, insufficient government support and limited engagement by supply chain and local markets.
The MSC has a capacity building program which provides fisheries with technical training and support, to support small scale fisheries with limited management capacity. This program aims to increase understanding of the MSC standard and equip fisheries with the knowledge and skills required to implement a successful process towards certification and sustainability.
Lack of financial resources
Obtaining the MSC certification can be a costly and time consuming process. The average time for an independent auditor to complete an assessment and the fishery to be granted certification is 18 months. Over the course of these 18 months, participants in the fishery need to pay fees to the auditor. Fees can vary based on the size and specifics of the fishery, and they can range from $15,000 to $120,000 USD.
As you can imagine, for small-scale fisheries (which are often family operated fisheries) this is simply out of their budget.
To ease the financial burden of certification, the MSC introduced the Ocean Stewardship Fund. This includes support for costs of an assessment for recertification through the Recertification Assistance Fund. Fisheries in the In-Transition to MSC program are eligible for the Transition Assistance Fund, which supports the cost of the required sustainability improvements. Fisheries can also apply for the Science and Research Fund to support the costs of making the improvements needed to retain certification.
Improving Access to the MSC certification for small-scale fisheries
Recognizing the unique challenges that small-scale fisheries face and the role they can play in supporting the sustainable ambitions of small-scale fisheries worldwide, the MSC provides tools, expertise and funding to help well-managed small-scale fisheries access the program and become certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard.
The MSC has also created a Pathway to Sustainability program, that helps support fisheries who are not yet operating at a level that meets their Standard, but are making improvements and aim to become certified.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: sustainable fisheries aren’t black and white! Fisheries management is a complex topic that requires active participation and investment from all stakeholders. That includes fisheries scientists, governments, resource managers, fishermen, and organizations like the MSC. We all have an incredibly important role to play in securing sustainable fisheries for the future and ensuring that small-scale fisheries have the same access to that future as everyone else.
For more information on how the MSC is working to improve their certification to better support small-scale fisheries, you can read their report ‘Engaging with small-scale fisheries: Findings and next steps to enhance the engagement of small-scale fisheries in the MSC program’.
