New MSC funding to support sustainable fisheries – The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has announced 32 new grants through the Ocean Stewardship Fund (OSF) to support sustainable fisheries worldwide. This round of funding, which includes projects in India, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua and Peru, aims to safeguard fish stocks and minimise impacts on wildlife.
Since 2018, OSF has distributed over 140 grants, totalling $6.6 million, to promote sustainable fishing practices. The 2024 funding includes research grants for students and improvement projects for non-certified fisheries, with the aim of protecting biodiversity and reducing damage to ecosystems.
Research projects and beneficiaries
Beneficiaries of this year’s grants include students and researchers engaged in innovative projects:
– Rocío Nayeli Avendaño Villeda of the Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Mexico, will collect data on the impacts of sardine fishing on large seabirds.
– Lindiwe Makapela from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, will study the interactions of hake fishing with killer whales and seals, proposing techniques to minimise risks.
– Mishel Valery Rañada from Vrije University, Brussels, will work on improving data collection processes for demersal trawling in Suriname.
The MSC commitment to sustainability
The OSF commits 5% of annual royalties from sales of MSC-certified products to support sustainable fishing. The fund is also supplemented by philanthropic donations and corporate contributions, accelerating progress in the sustainable management of marine resources.
MSC Research Director, Dr Beth Polidoro, emphasises the importance of supporting scientific research to address global environmental challenges. OSF-funded research projects aim to provide science-based data and solutions, promoting collaborations between scientists and fishermen to innovate and conserve ocean resources.
New MSC funding to support sustainable fisheries
