GSSI Sustains Recognition for Marine Stewardship Council

Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) has reaffirmed its recognition of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) following a successful review under the Monitoring of Continued Alignment Process. This process is part of GSSI’s Benchmark Procedures designed to ensure continued compliance with sustainable seafood practices.

Highlights of the MSC Certification Programme

The MSC Certification Programme, evaluated against its Fisheries Standard (v2.0), initially gained GSSI recognition in June 2023. This certification meets the criteria outlined in Sections A (Governance), B (Operational Management), and D (Fisheries) as defined in GSSI’s Global Benchmark Tool version 2.0.

Overview of the Monitoring Process

In December 2024, GSSI initiated its Monitoring of Continued Alignment (MOCA) procedure. This critical review ascertains any modifications in the framework’s ownership, management, or operational standards. Independent Experts assessed the MSC programme and concluded that it continues to align with all GSSI Essential Components, thereby supporting the Benchmark Committee’s recommendation for continued recognition, which was subsequently endorsed by the GSSI Steering Board.

Understanding the Monitoring of Continued Alignment

The MOCA process is a vital aspect of GSSI’s oversight, ensuring that recognized schemes maintain compliance with the GSSI Global Benchmark Tool in the intervals between formal reassessments. Conducted annually, the MOCA involves a self-assessment by the Scheme Owner, who must disclose any changes in ownership, governance, management, or normative documents such as standards and procedures.

Key Focus Areas of MOCA

The Independent Experts concentrate on two primary objectives during their evaluation:

• Tracking changes in reference documents or ownership and management systems to determine if these changes affect alignment with the GSSI Benchmark Tool.
• Verifying ongoing implementation through recent audit reports and supporting materials to ensure the scheme operates as intended.

The Independent Experts then compile their assessment and submit a written recommendation to the Benchmark Committee. After a thorough review, the Committee offers its insight, and the final determination rests with the GSSI Steering Board, culminating in a public announcement of the decisions made.

GSSI’s Global Benchmark Tool

The GSSI Global Benchmark Tool is instrumental in recognizing seafood certification schemes that meet rigorous standards through a transparent benchmarking process. It is founded on principles from the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the FAO Guidelines for Ecolabelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine/Inland Capture Fisheries, and the FAO Technical Guidelines for Aquaculture Certification. The overarching goal of the Global Benchmark Tool is to reduce the environmental impact of seafood production and supply chains, catering to the increasingly demanding global market.