Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Objections process: An optional procedure that can be utilised if stakeholders
object to the final report and determination.
Final determination: Decision to certify or not.
If the fishery is certified, annual surveillance audits are required to maintain the
certification. A certification body may also undertake more frequent audits if
the circumstances of the fishery change.
The full assessment process is public and involves stakeholder involvement from
the outset. Throughout the full assessment, key documentation is published on the
MSC's website to encourage stakeholder comment and maintain a transparent pro-
cess. Where stakeholder consultation is required, certification bodies alert relevant
stakeholders through direct contact. Additionally, the MSC has set up an email
notification service for stakeholders who wish to be alerted to the progress of all
MSC fisheries undergoing full assessment. Stakeholder consultation is sought for
key stages of the assessment process including the selection of the assessment team,
defining the 'assessment tree' and the draft assessment report itself. Finally, if a
stakeholder has concerns about the outcome of an assessment (the determination),
the MSC's objections procedure allows for an independent panel to review the
assessment and conclude the process.
4.4
The MSC vision and mission
MSC's overarching mission is to contribute to reversing the decline in global fish
stocks, to deliver real and measurable improvements in the marine environment
and to contribute to safeguarding the livelihoods of those involved in the fishing
industry.
The MSC programme aims to benefit a multitude of stakeholders - fishers in
certified fisheries, consumers buying certified products (educating them and em-
powering them to use their purchasing power to effect change) and companies
across the certified fish product supply chain. The MSC also aims to benefit society
more widely through creating the conditions necessary to maintain the productivity
of the marine environment for this and future generations, and thereby contribute
to maintaining global food security in relation to fishery products.
Given the urgent ecological imperative, the MSC intends to continue accelerating
and expanding the delivery of its programme and to contribute to the World Summit
for Sustainable Development commitment to restore depleted global fish stocks by
2015 (UN 2002).
With growing support and recognition for the role that credible consumer-driven
programmes like the MSC can play in transforming markets on to a more sustainable
footing, the MSC has an exciting but finite window of opportunity opening up to
achieve this ambition.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search