Balticsea 2020

The establishment of a Marine Stewardship Council in the Baltic region

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), was founded in 1997. The aim was to establish credible certification of fish and fish that can easily show consumers which fish that are legally caught, of sustainable and well-managed stocks. BalticSea2020 is the main funders of the establishment of the MSC in the Baltic region.

In 2009 BalticSea2020 granted support to the establishment of an MSC office in the Baltic Sea region. MSC will raise awareness about environmental labeling among the Baltic Sea countries' consumers. Furthermore, the project is working actively to promote that all major fisheries in the Baltic Sea area will be certified according to MSC’s criteria and that labeled products will be available in stores.

Thanks to the MSC's fishery certification and eco-labeling program there are now opportunities for the fishing industry in the Baltic region to show that it lives up to global marine sustainability demands. Fishing is an important part of the Baltic Sea ecosystem and the MSC promotes responsible management of important species. The goal is to achieve viable and sustainable fish stocks and to restore a balanced fish population. MSC program also ensure that the fisheries act in accordance with the guidelines for international best practice as defined by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

MSC works with fishermen to increase the supply of sustainable seafood products. While working also with traders, food industry and other stakeholders to make these sustainable marine products more accessible.

About MSC
The MSC's fishery certification program and seafood ecolabel recognise and reward sustainable fishing. MSC is a global organisation working with fisheries, seafood companies, scientists, conservation groups and the public to promote the best environmental choice in seafood. For further information, please visit www.msc.org.

In 2013 MSC has developed its activity around the Baltic Sea with focus on Poland. For more information, see the ongoing project The establishment of a Marine Stewardship Council in the Baltic region II.