Stage 2: Pre-assessments

Stage 2: Pre-assessments

In 2016, 7 selected fisheries per country (14 in total) have been pre-assessed with regards to the MSC Standards by the independent certification bodies. The objective is to identify the area where improvements are needed to achieve the MSC sustainability level. For this, certification bodies have used data collected during the previous stage. Interviews of fisheries’ stakeholders have permitted to complete available information.

Similarly in 2019, 5 new fisheries (3 in Spain and 2 in France) have been pre-assessed.

Find out more about each of the 19 selected fisheries: Fisheries on the move

What’s a MSC pre-assessment?

During a MSC pre-assessment, certifiers and local experts evaluate, at a provisional level, a fishery’s performance against the MSC Fisheries Standard. This allows any potential issues in a fishery’s performance to be identified, and enables potential fishery clients to improve and prepare accordingly for a full assessment.