Seafood stewardship certifications

Last updated on August 3, 2023

Seafood certifications build consumer confidence by identifying sustainably caught or produced products in the marketplace. B.C. fishers and aquaculture producers participate in stewardship certification programs to adopt a structured standard of sustainability within their business and gain greater market access and competitiveness.

Aquaculture certifications

The B.C. aquaculture sector is a world leader in responsible seafood farming. This is achieved through accreditation by independent, national and international third party audited certification and labelling programs. These include:

Sustainable seafood labelling programs

There are several organizations with programs that make recommendations for sustainable seafood choices to consumers through point of sale product labelling. These organizations provide ratings for both wild caught and aquaculture raised seafood:

Wild fishery certifications

What is considered a sustainable fishery?

For certification, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) recognizes three overarching principles that every fishery must meet to be considered sustainable. These are:

Sustainable fish stocks: The harvest level is sustainable for the fish population to ensure that fishing can continue indefinitely and is not over exploiting the resources.
Minimizing environmental impact: Fishing operations are managed to maintain the health and diversity of the ecosystem on which the fishery depends.
Effective management: The fishery meets all laws and regulations for ensuring sustainable fishing practices.

The Marine Stewardship Council is considered the international leader in sustainable fisheries certification, and adheres to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Guidelines for the Eco-labelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries, which include:

Objective, third-party fishery assessment utilizing scientific evidence
Transparent processes with built-in stakeholder consultation and objection procedures
Standards based on the sustainability of target species, ecosystems and management practices

Certified fisheries

The following fisheries in B.C. are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council:

Halibut (September 2009)
Albacore tuna (March 2010)
Hake (November 2010)

In addition, the MSC Chain of Custody Standard verifies traceability through the supply chain, from a certified fishery to final sale. Several B.C. seafood companies are MSC Chain of Custody certified.

Search MSC’s certified fisheries in British Columbia

All B.C. Atlantic salmon raised in open-net pens are BAP-Certified and rated “Good Alternative” by the Seafood Watch Program. B.C. is the only region that farms Atlantic salmon to reach this level of accreditation.
Certified organic farmed seafood from B.C. includes chinook salmon, sturgeon and sturgeon caviar.

Marine Stewardship Council

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organization that recognizes, via a scientifically-based certification and eco-labelling program, well-managed wild-capture fisheries.

Learn more about the Marine Stewardship Council

Aquaculture Stewardship Council works with aquaculture producers, seafood processors, retail and foodservice companies, scientists, conservation groups and consumers to:

Recognize and reward responsible aquaculture through the Aquaculture Stewardship Council aquaculture certification program and seafood label
Promote best environmental and social choice when buying seafood
Contribute to transforming seafood markets towards sustainability

To learn more, visit:

Aquaculture Stewardship Council website

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