From Marine Stewardship Council: The State of the Water Report for the UK and Ireland is the first of its kind and provides a detailed analysis of the positive effect that MSC certification is having on the fisheries that have chosen to be assessed against the MSC Fisheries Standard.

The report utilises data collected from MSC audits and assessments stretching back 20 years, to map out the impacts and progress that have been made in UK and Ireland Fisheries, since the MSC programme was launched here.

It outlines evidence of how certification provides a credible and robust measure of the health of certified fish stocks, how these fisheries minimise their impact on the marine environment, and how the management measures they use ensure that this good practice is maintained.

There have been 146 improvements since 2001 to make the UK’s fishing practices far more sustainable. Sustainable fisheries have healthier fish stocks and minimise their impact on the marine environment.

George Clark, MSC UK & Ireland Programme Director, said: “In order to continue to deliver positive environmental outcomes in our seas while keeping healthy and nutritious fish and seafood on our plates, it’s imperative that UK government and policy makers deliver on the aspiration for our fisheries to become truly world leading in terms of sustainable management.

“With climate change warming our seas and so disturbing the movement and distribution of our fish stocks, it is now more important than ever that UK fisheries become resilient to these ever-increasing pressures, through being managed sustainably. The MSC certified fisheries featured in this first ever UK and Ireland State of the Water Report show how meeting a high bar of sustainability is achievable and creates real, lasting, positive impacts for our marine environment as a result.”

The first UK fishery to be certified was Thames Blackwater herring in 2000, followed by Burry Inlet cockles in 2001 which has retained its certificate to this day.

The full State of the Water Report for the UK and Ireland can be read here.