Climate & Environment
Sustainable Fishery
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.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Sustainable Fishery” is defined and used.
Source imported for editorial provenance.
Overview
How it is used
The concept structures fisheries policy (EU Common Fisheries Policy MSY objective), seafood certification and buyer commitments, and the WTO fisheries subsidies discipline.
Why it matters
Three billion people rely on fish for protein; sustainable fisheries are the difference between managing a renewable food system and mining it out.