Many people trust that the fish they buy with the MSC blue label are sustainably caught and that destructive fishing methods, high levels of bycatch, dolphin encirclement, or even illegal finning of sharks are excluded. In reality, many fisheries are certified even though they conduct such practices. Make Stewardship Count calls for quick far-reaching improvements in bycatch and species protection from the MSC, as well as greater transparency and more opportunities for the participation of all MSC stakeholders in the fisheries certification process. As well as the public reprimand of violations. “We definitely need more sustainable fishing. But consumers must also be able to rely on the fact that this fish was caught in an environmentally friendly manner and without bycatching endangered species.” Says Kate O’Connell from the Animal Welfare Institute.
