The WCA released a statement on the new MSC Standard voicing their deep disappointment with the decision of the MSC to not include the previously proposed requirements around the harassment and killing of marine mammals in MSC-certified fisheries. These proposed improvements would have been a huge improvement to the Standard and would have prevented fisheries that intentionally harass and kill marine mammals from gaining certification. In the new Standard, the MSC backtracked significantly, creating room for these fisheries to gain certification. WCA calls out the decision saying ‘the concerning influence that commercial fisheries are able to exert over MSC guidelines. What should be a fair and independent certification programme is sadly dominated by the commercial fishing industry and its interests, with wildlife paying the price
