The Hill, August 9 2022.
Earlier this year Shark Guardian released their report from an investigation which identified several violations in MSC fisheries, in particular pertaining to bycatch issues and shark finning on board certified vessels. Following the release of the report, the MSC asked a third party to complete an investigation into these violations, the results of which are not expected until at least mid-September MSC stated that those involved risk suspension or removal from the MSC ecolabel, if they are found to not meet the requirements of the program.
There is also mention of the on-going FSR and the changes to require a Fins Naturally Policy be in place prior to certification. Alex Hofford of Shark Guardian says “As regards the new MSC Standard, I worry that the failure to remove loopholes, address systemic conflicts of interest between CABs and those fishery clients who pay them, will result in a dismal failure to deliver urgently needed improvements on the water to put an end to the practice of environmentally damaging and polluting fisheries being certified when they clearly should not, and will not protect endangered, threatened and protected species”.
Further, it mentioned the challenges and shortcomings of MSC in trying to create a label which can be applied to all types of fisheries on a global scale, but in reality is often leaving the small scale fisheries behind and favouring large commercial operations. A disparity we have highlighted in the past.
Our thoughts: This article has done a great job of painting a picture of the issues we face when trying to push for improvements to the MSC Standard, and more widely, move toward more sustainable fishing practices. A trusted eco-label must be robust in its requirements, and hold certified fisheries to those standards, which as SharkGuardian has highlighted, is not always the case. Unsustainable fisheries have been granted MSC certification time and time again, while those small scale fisheries who can’t afford the steep price tag to enter the program are left behind.
