Climate & Environment
Sustainable Fishery
Fishing that keeps stocks productive and ecosystems intact — the standard assessed by FAO stock data and MSC certification.
Definition
A sustainable fishery harvests fish at rates that maintain stock productivity over time, minimises bycatch and habitat damage, and is managed through effective science-based governance. The FAO tracks the share of stocks fished within biologically sustainable levels — which declined from 90% in 1974 to around two-thirds today, with a third of stocks overfished. The Marine Stewardship Council's standard is the leading market certification, while rights-based management and well-enforced quotas have rebuilt stocks in several jurisdictions.
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