The Marine Stewardship Council has developed standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability. Both standards are based on independent third-party assessments by accredited certifiers. The science-based MSC environmental standard for sustainable fishing offers fisheries a way to confirm sustainability, using a credible, independent, third-party assessment process. It means sustainable fisheries can be recognised and rewarded in the marketplace, and gives an assurance to buyers and consumers that their seafood comes from a well managed and sustainable source. The MSC standard applies to wild-capture fisheries only – whatever their size, type or location but does not apply to farmed fish.

The MSC standard has 3 overarching principles that every fishery must prove that it meets:

Principle 1: Sustainable fish stocks

Principle 2: Minimising environmental impact

Principle 3: Effective management

At present Irish fisheries that have achieved MSC certification are RSW mackerel and polyvalent mackerel. The Celtic Sea herring fishery is currently undergoing the assessment process and if this is sucessful the fishery could be certified in Autumn 2011.