MSC FULL ASSESSMENT

An MSC full assessment is the process through which a fishery is formally assessed to determine if it meets the MSC Fisheries Standard. A Conformity Assessment Body is required to undertake a rigorous and public audit to determine compliance with the Standard’s 28 performance indicators that sit under three principles:

PRINCIPLE 1: SUSTAINABILITY OF THE STOCK
Fisheries must operate in a way that allows fishing to continue indefinitely, without overexploiting the resource.

PRINCIPLE 2: ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS
Fishing operations need to be managed to maintain the structure, productivity, function and diversity of the ecosystem upon which the fishery depends, including other species and habitats.

PRINCIPLE 3: EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT
All fisheries need to meet all local, national and international laws and have an effective management system in place.

Full assessments take place during the initial as well as re-certification assessments and include an on-site audit at a location appropriate for the fishery.

Throughout a full assessment, stakeholder involvement is welcomed and encouraged. Stakeholders are advised at various stages of the assessment and invited to make public comments on the audit report. There is also an opportunity to meet with the Conformity Assessment Body during the site visit.

A full assessment will commonly take 12 months. The MSC Fisheries Certificate is valid for five years with the requirement of annual surveillance audits. The fishery may then enter re-assessment.

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