Quality labels on fish packaging are now a dime a dozen, but which of the fish seals of approval are credible? To help understand the marketing, we have taken a closer look at the most important international accreditations for fish. According to Greenpeace, you shouldn't blindly trust any of them because standards are not consistent, but at least they have driven greater consumer awareness and led to widespread re-thinking in the fishing industry.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
- The MSC label certifies only wild fish and is probably the most common label on fish product packaging.
- It is awarded to companies that fish the seas sustainably and minimise the environmental impact.
- Compliance with these criteria is regularly checked by independent experts. The non-profit organisation was founded in 1997 by the environmental organisation WWF and the food giant Unilever.
- Greenpeace has criticised the body mainly because it does not completely rule out highly industrialised, exploitative, by-catch mass fishing, for example of Alaska pollock.