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.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
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