Marine Stewardship Council

Synopsis

The Marine Stewardship Council protects global fish stocks by harnessing market forces to promote sustainability. MSC works with fisheries around the world and runs the world’s leading independent certification and eco-labeling program for companies that embrace sustainable fishing practices. Sustainable fisheries catch fish in ways that protect other marine life and undersea habitats, and they do not pull fish from the ocean faster than they can reproduce and replenish their populations. Currently, some 7% of the world’s edible seafood catch – over 4 million tons of seafood annually – are at some stage in the MSC programme with 24 fisheries certified and around 30 in full assessment. Additionally, MSC provides information for consumers so they can make an informed choice when buying seafood.
But much more needs to be done. Recent studies of the world’s fisheries showed that if current trends continue unchanged, all fish and seafood species will collapse before mid-century. Less than one percent of the global ocean is protected from overfishing, and in international waters a free-for-all mentality prevails where commercial fishing is carried out indiscriminately.

Testimonials

“It has been a real pleasure working with Michael Schwarz and his team at Kikim during the production of a short, Skoll Foundation funded seven minute film to promote the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the world’s leading marine eco-labelling and certification for sustainable wild capture fisheries. Over a short but intensive on-location filming trip in the UK and USA Michael and his team managed to capture the essence of the MSC and to tell ‘our story’ in a very professional, compelling and accessible way. We are delighted with the result and have already used the film extensively around the world. The film has been met with tremendous enthusiasm and interest. I have no doubt that it has already contributed to increasing understanding and support for the work we do. What amazed all of us was Kikim Media’s ability to capture our story so clearly and so quickly.”

Rupert Howes, Chief Executive, MSC