Supermarket Perimeter - November 2023 - 59

evidence of progress towards SDG14 targets. These data are formally
recognized as indicators of delivering the UN Biodiversity Framework
and the UN Environment Program.
" This new MSC SDG report highlights just how important it is to
demonstrate progress accurately and credibly, " Feller said. " My hope is
that we see strong and time-bound commitments come out of the SDG
Summit toward achieving SDG14. "
Big goal, strong partnerships
The MSC has set a goal to engage a third of the global wild seafood
harvest in the MSC program by 2030, which can only be accomplished
through partnerships among fisheries, businesses, governments, NGOs
and other stakeholders.
" Stronger commitments and dedicated funding to support
sustainable fishing practices by governments and the public and private
sector are critically needed to make progress on the important SDGs. "
The new report also details the ways in which fishing and seafood
production are intrinsically linked to economic prosperity, livelihoods,
nutrition, biodiversity and ecosystems.
Analysis shows that organizations, including fisheries, governments
and seafood companies, that engage with the MSC program are helping
to deliver at least 34 targets across five SDGs.
" Their commitments to MSC certification support environmental,
social and economic sustainability. Some national governments and
businesses are already using certification to the MSC's standards as
evidence of progress towards targets in SDG14. "
Data from the MSC program is already recognized by the UN as an
indicator for measuring actions to safeguard the ocean and biodiversity.
This data is available to the international community, including
governments, businesses and investors, to monitor and credibly
evidence efforts to deliver the SDGs.
Retailer and brand commitments to MSC certification can also
provide a financial incentive for sustainable fishing through market
demand for certified seafood with the blue MSC ecolabel, according to
the report.
The MSC works with some of the world's leading retailers and
seafood brands to influence positive change within the seafood
sector. It's also helping to increase understanding of the importance
of choosing sustainable seafood, with global marketing and
communications campaigns reaching millions of people every year.
" This helps to drive sustainable consumption. The MSC works
with stakeholders from across the seafood sector including business,
governments, conservationists and scientists helping to build
collaborative partnerships needed to transform the seafood sector. "
Almost half (48%) of the 225 NGOs, seafood industry professionals
and experts from 31 countries who took part in the MSC's SDG
leadership forum for Goal 14 in 2019 believe that sustainable sourcing
policies are the most effective way to accelerate progress towards
ending the crisis facing the oceans.
Overall, the MSC's analysis shows that efforts to meet the MSC
standards, and commitments to certified sustainable seafood, are
helping deliver at least 34 different SDG targets out of a possible 60
targets. Reaching as many of those targets as possible, according to the
group, is crucial to ensuring a sustainable seafood future.
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Case study:
SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION
In 2001 the Red Rock Lobster fishery in Baja
California in Mexico became the first small scale
fishery from a developing economy to be MSC
certified. The certified fishery is made up of nine
of the 10 cooperatives that are part of the Regional
Federation of Cooperative Societies of Baja California
(FEDECOOP) which collectively employ 2,000
people in lobster production, processing and export.
The fishery lands around 1,300 tons of lobster per
year, around 90% of which is exported live to Asia
bringing valuable export income to the region. MSC
certification of the fishery was originally supported
by the NGO Comunidad y Biodiversidad (COBI) as a
strategy to make new social and economic incentives
available to the best managed fisheries in the country.
Certification was seen by the fishing cooperative to
support international recognition and government
support for the fishery as well as an opportunity
to compete on the international market with the
Western Australian Rock Lobster fishery.
The fishery received funding for its initial certification
from the Mexican government and WWF. The
benefits of certification have included improved
management of the fishery and helped to secure
community investment, including provision of
infrastructure, electricity and fishing gear.
To maintain its MSC certification the fishery has
delivered improvements to its sustainability, including
diligently recording bycatch, tracking discarded fish
and improving its harvest strategies, providing the
evidence needed to show with greater certainty
that the lobster stock is sustainably fished.
NOVEMBER 2023 - 59
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