MSC Program Improvements. Public consultation 1 30 September 2017

Transcription

1 MSC Program Improvements Public consultation 1 30 September

2 Unit of Assessment requirements 2

3 3

4 Current UoA requirements and the MSC Theory of Change MSC allows parts of fisheries to be certified to incentivise change: In a fishery where parts of the fleet being certified incentivises other parts, either using the same gear or different gear, to become certified Between fisheries as certification of one species or stock incentivises fisheries on similar stocks to also become certified. The program, and particularly the definition of a Unit of Assessment, is designed to enable those sections of a fishery that wish to demonstrate their sustainability credentials to do so. 4

5 Why we are consulting on UoA? This has resulted in situations where a particular fleet may, within a single trip, fish for the same species on both certified and non-certified units of certification. A number of stakeholders have expressed concern that allowing vessels to fish on certified and uncertified units of assessment within the same trip raised practical and reputational risks for the MSC. MSC convened a stakeholder workshop in June 2017 with 40 people from more than 30 organisations NGOs, the fishing industry, retailers, universities and conformity assessment bodies. They made suggestions about how the incentive to improve uncertified sections of fisheries could be improved. 5

6 Why we are consulting on UoA? There is considerable evidence to believe that, on a broad scale, the theory of change works. For instance, the first cod fishery to be certified in the Bering Sea was the longline part of the fishery. This was followed by certification of the pot and trawl part of the fishery. But, the MSC acknowledges concerns raised by stakeholders that a single vessel fishes within and outside the unit of certification on a single trip may pose specific challenges to the theory of change, and that its effectiveness could be improved. 6

7 How can vessels fish on two UoAs within a trip? There are 2 circumstances 1. A vessel may use more than one gear, fishing practice or method on a single trip, one of which is certified, and one not. 2. A vessel may fish in two management areas on a single trip, one of which is certified and one of which is not. In each of these cases the target species may be the same, or different, in the two types of fishing. 7

8 The UoA consultation The MSC proposes three options to address the UoA issue. All could be introduced in the release of the Fishery Certification Requirements in August Option 1: Improved recording and reporting of uncertified activity within single trips. All activity outside the certified UoA would need to meet MSC scope requirements Option 2: Uncertified units enter a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) and enter MSC fullassessment within 5 years. Failure of the uncertified activity to enter a FIP or to enter MSC certification in 5 years would lead to suspension of the certified UoA Option 3: All activity on a single trip must be certified. This would apply to all fisheries that are currently certified or in assessment within 3 years of the release date, August This timeframe is needed to allow fisheries to adjust, and is consistent with international ecolabeling requirements. 8

9 Additional considerations There may be some fisheries which only fish occasionally or for a very small catch or effort, on uncertified units. For instance a fishery that fishes in one management area for 90% of the time, and spends 10% of its trip in another on the way home. Small scale fisheries that may normally fish with multiple gears on board, or in other ways find it difficult to separate their activities. The consultation asks whether these should be treated as exceptions. 9

10 Release and implementation schedule ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard Mass Balance standard GCR (Suspensions) GCR FCR (Streamlining/UoA) CoC Program Review (Fishery CoC Standard) Fisheries Standard Review (inc. Mixed). FCR

11 What happens after consultation? Evaluate feedback and seek advice from PSWG, StAC, TAB. Publish all responses Select option Board decision on option to take forward Consult/ test 60 day consultation on FCR language Approve Board adoption of revised FCR Implement Publish. Fisheries transition to new requirements FSR

12 Thank you For more information contact 12