The marine stewardship council which certifies that fish we are consuming are sustainable has been blamed of fooling consumers by giving its blue eco-label logo to fisheries where the fish species are being over-exploited. Marine Stewardship Council is a non-profit organization which seeks to contribute to the marine environment by recognizing and rewarding sustainable fishing practices for fisheries and seafood companies.
A Greenpeace oceans campaigner said that Marine Stewardship Council is losing their trustworthiness by certifying some fisheries that are catching unsustainable fish. Consumers are being deceived by thinking that they are buying sustainable fish and they can consume these fish with a peace of mind.
One of the most important issues that are being discussed is the award of an MSC label which has been given to the Ross Sea Antarctic toothfish fishery. As per the scientists, this fishery is known to an exploratory fishery but how they have the blue eco-label in their fish products. The fish species is so little understood that marine researchers yet do not know the basics like where the fish spawns.
Other fish species include swordfish and tuna off the US shore, krill in the Antarctic and Bering Sea where the fish stocks have fallen about 64% as from 2004 to 2009. Moreover, since 1989 the stock level of Pacific Hake has fallen down to approximately 89%.
It has been said by the marine biologist Mr. Chris Pincetich that the MSC accepts applications from hundreds of fisheries over the world in order to boost up their business, image and network but they do not verify if these fisheries are viewed as sustainable as per scientists. Special considerations need to be taken by the MSC before engaging with those fisheries.
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