The MSC says "This is the second, and final, opportunity for stakeholders to offer their views on proposals for changes to the fishery standard. Stakeholders will also have the opportunity to comment on other proposals for program improvements, including changes to the fisheries assessment process designed to reduce the time, cost and complexity of certification assessments. An early stage public consultation on the fisheries standard review topics took place in spring this year."
The MSC makes a point that these reviews of standards every five years or so are part of the best practices mandated by FAO ecolabeling, and ISEAL. What they fail to address is how a private organization, rather than an international standards body, can agree on these changes.
Transparancy is very welcome, but the venue of where and how these changes are adopted is important also. For example, the FAO guideliness on responsible fishing, which is the basis for MSC and other ecolabels certifying best practices, was the result of an official collaboration of representatives of 190 governments, plus NGO's and other stake holders. Any changes to that document would also require a similar consensus process among recognized parties, such as the members of the FAO.
But there is no "membership" in the MSC. Instead it is a "stakeholder" organization with no rules regarding which stakeholders have influence and which do not. Because it is a commercial organization driven by ecolabel revenues, the MSC unavoidably listens to stakeholders that either support or threaten its business model.
This is why, despite the laudable approach to consider standards revisions, ultimately a more formal, non-business oriented, organization is needed for seafood sustainabilty standards. For this reason, many in the global seafood industry have embraced the GSSI initiative, which attempts to take the standard setting process out of the hands of a private company that also benefits from the revenue due to sale of ecolabels.
Improvements in the MSC are welcome, but no improvements in standards can address the fundamental contradiction that has arisen where the standard setting body is also dependent on revenue from the sale of labels that meet that standard.
The MSC expects that the current changes under review will be adopted by the MSC Board at its meeting in July 2014. The intention is that the next significant review of the standard will take place no sooner than 2019, to ensure stability and consistency in the fishery assessment process.
Over the last year, the MSC has consulted over 100 fisheries experts, scientists, environmental organisations, governments, fisheries and commercial partners to help inform the content of the review. A number of stakeholder workshops and consultation seminars will take place across the globe this year and these, together with the online public consultation, will provide useful feedback that will help shape the MSC sustainable and credible fisheries standard.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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