Balancing the need for economic security in local fishing communities with efforts to protect the earth’s ocean environment, the Marine Stewardship Council’s certification program rewards appropriate fishery management and gives consumers a way of evaluating the sustainability of the fish they purchase.

In addition, the Council supports reduction of bycatch and damage to ocean habitat from fishing gear.

The Marine Stewardship Council

Established in 1997, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) provides independent assessments of fisheries to determine whether their catch is sustainable and environmentally friendly. Fish from these sources are given an eco-label, which says that the product comes from a fishery that has been certified to Marine Stewardship Council environmental standard for well-managed sustainability.