With its seal of approval on more than 6% of all wild-caught fish, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the world's biggest eco-label for sustainable seafood. But it's also controversial: Critics have accused MSC of having subjective standards and not adequately protecting marine ecosystems. A new analysis, released last week, makes the most detailed case yet that MSC certification does yield environmental benefits. These benefits increase both while a fishery is applying for the eco-label and after it succeeds. The actual gains were more common in protecting fish populations; there was less "on the water" progress in improving the larger ecosystem. And the labeling system seems geared more for industrial operations than smaller fisheries. |
