Summary
This paper examines the challenges and benefits of sustainability certification in small-scale fisheries, using the Kyoto Danish Seine Fishery Federation as a case study. The article concludes that whilst Marine-Stewardship Council (MSC) certified small-scale fisheries do benefit from price premiums, better market access, publicity, and improved understanding of sustainable fishing practices, many struggle to meet the associated costs. The authors identify single unit assessment of multi-species fisheries, or neighboring single-species fisheries as a way of reducing the financial burden on small-scale fisheries, as well as the importance of public or private support such as from governments, and face-to-face marketing to generate price premiums in new markets.