TORONTO: The MSC Canada State of the Water Report 2023, highlights the remarkable strides made by the Canadian fishing industry in achieving sustainability goals over the past 15 years. Spearheaded by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a non-profit organization, the report underscores the significant impact of consumer and industry demand on fostering positive changes at scale.
According to the report, sales of MSC certified seafood in Canada surged to CAD$432 million in 2022, marking a staggering 280% increase over the previous 5 years. Despite this growth, the total Canadian retail seafood market, estimated at CAD$5.4 billion, suggests substantial room for further expansion.
Since the first MSC certification in 2008, certified fisheries have implemented 152 improvements, significantly enhancing the sustainability of Canada’s fishing practices. Fisheries that remained in the MSC program for two full certification cycles experienced notable improvements in sustainability scores across all three MSC Fisheries Principles: stock health, ecosystem impacts, and management.
Presently, Canada boasts 26 MSC certified fisheries, representing an impressive 61% of the nation’s seafood landings. While Canada ranks 23rd globally in wild seafood production, it stands among the top 5 countries worldwide in the adoption of the MSC Fisheries program. Haddock, halibut, lobster, snow crab, and shrimp contribute the largest volume of MSC certified seafood from Canadian waters.
Kurtis Hayne, Program Director for the MSC in Canada, expressed pride and gratitude for the industry’s commitment, emphasizing the power of consumer and market forces in driving positive change. Hayne urged Canadian retailers and seafood brands to assess and enhance their sourcing practices to meet the increasing demands for sustainable practices.
The report attributes the industry’s positive trajectory to consumer demand, both domestically and abroad, for sustainable seafood products carrying the distinctive blue MSC label. This demand has incentivized retailers and brands in Europe to prioritize MSC certification, prompting fisheries to meet the high sustainability standards set by the MSC.
While 74% of Canadian seafood consumers seek independently labeled sustainability claims, Loblaw stands out as the only coast-to-coast grocer MSC certified to handle and sell audited and traceable MSC and ASC certified sustainable seafood. Over 200 products in Loblaw’s seafood range are labeled MSC or ASC certified, demonstrating the company’s commitment to transparently source sustainable products.
Hayne emphasized the need for Canadian retailers and seafood brands to aspire to global leadership in credible sustainable seafood practices, echoing the positive environmental outcomes achieved by Canadian fisheries.
The report highlights several standout improvements in Canadian fisheries, including the introduction of advanced TrackWell systems in the OCI Grand Banks yellowtail flounder fishery and a collaborative, community-focused approach on Cedar Lake in Northern Manitoba. The B.C. Pacific halibut and hake fisheries also played a pivotal role in stock assessments for endangered species, resulting in new quotas and improved protections across all B.C. commercial groundfish fisheries.
In conclusion, the MSC Canada State of the Water Report 2023 underscores the tangible progress achieved by the Canadian fishing industry, emphasizing the pivotal role of sustainable practices and consumer demand in shaping a healthier and more responsible future for the nation’s seafood sector.