Summary
This fifth Marine Stewardship Council Global Impacts Report reflects on the evolution of the MSC standard, and sustainability performance of MSC fisheries over the past 20 years, highlighting areas of interest for the future. Currently 12% of global marine wild catch is MSC certified, and through in-depth case-studies and larger-scale regional data this report presents evidence of positive impacts on wider marine habitat conservation. In assessment of stock biomass it is found that many stocks improve in the years following certification, and where stock status is already on target, fisheries often make other improvements to achieve and maintain certification. Looking forward, in an effort to continue to drive positive change, MSC aims to strengthen their work with small-scale fisheries in the Global South and in ecologically important large marine ecosystems.