Sustainability Certification Works in the Seas, Study Finds
(firmenpresse) - HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/15/11 -- Fisheries engaged in the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) programme show clear improvements in environmental performance throughout the whole certification process, according to an independent study released last week.
The study, Researching the Environmental Impacts of the MSC Certification Programme, is the first ever to examine fishery performance through the MSC assessment process. It focused on improvements in eight key outcome performance indicators: stock status; population reference points; stock recovery; retained species; bycatch species; endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species; habitats and environments.
Improvements were noted from the initial fishery pre-assessments, through assessment and certification. Five years after certification, over 90 percent of the performance indicators measured were achieving high scores.
"This study shows that the MSC certification system works well, that it measures the performance of a fishery based on marine conservation indicators in the oceans, and that it values the feedback from stakeholders in this process," said Alfred Schumm, Leader Smart Fishing Initiative, WWF's global fisheries programme. "As such, I believe that the MSC certification system is outweighing other existing seafood certification systems currently on the market."
In addition to ensuring the robust process of each fishery undergoing certification, WWF wanted the study to measure the environmental impacts of the MSC standards in the oceans. The results showed that MSC is also the only seafood standard which can prove that certification is also good for the environment and not only for the fisheries.
WWF has a vision for the world's oceans: that they are healthy, well-managed and full of life, providing valuable resources for the welfare of humanity. In order to help achieve this vision WWF formed the Smart Fishing Global Initiative (SFI), that participates in certification programmes like the MSC to ensure that responsible management and trade of four key fishery populations results in recovering and resilient marine eco-systems, improved livelihoods for coastal communities and strengthened food security for the Planet.
Notes to the editor
- The research for the study was carried out by expert marine science consultancies MRAG Ltd., Poseidon Ltd and Meridian Prime Ltd, over a two year period.
- The study focused on improvements in eight key outcome performance indicators: stock status; population reference points; stock recovery; retained species; bycatch species; endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species; habitats and ecosystems.
- As of February 2011, 447 fisheries had gone through MSC pre-assessments. Of the 447, only 35 percent had moved forward to full assessment at the time of the study.
- WWF's SFI seeks to move four major global fishery types - whitefish, tuna, shrimp, and forage (or reduction) - towards long-term sustainability.
- To view more information about WWF's Smart Fishing Initiative, please visit:
Download the study report Researching the Environmental Impacts of the MSC Certification Programme here: .
About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
for latest news and media resources
Contacts:
WWF-Canada
Stacey McCarthy
902 229 6066
Themen in dieser Pressemitteilung:
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 15.11.2011 - 13:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 87913
Anzahl Zeichen: 0
contact information:
Town:
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
Kategorie:
Regulations and Law
Diese Pressemitteilung wurde bisher 166 mal aufgerufen.
Die Pressemitteilung mit dem Titel:
"Sustainability Certification Works in the Seas, Study Finds"
steht unter der journalistisch-redaktionellen Verantwortung von
WWF-Canada (Nachricht senden)
Beachten Sie bitte die weiteren Informationen zum Haftungsauschluß (gemäß TMG - TeleMedianGesetz) und dem Datenschutz (gemäß der DSGVO).
