Case studies

This piece was written by Paul Mosnier* and published in International Aquafeed Magazine, February 2025

With the growing demand for aquaculture products, the entire value chain must continue to adapt to ever changing environmental conditions, societal norms and expectations, as well as challenging economic factors. Fisheries and aquaculture supply chains are not immune to mismanagement and other issues, caused by ignorance. While some view certification schemes as a marketing tool, they offer an increasingly valuable solution to help stakeholders improve management and the sustainable exploitation of fisheries.

One such example is the MarinTrust certification programme, which focuses on feed ingredients (fishmeal and fish oil). Their standard aims to provide assurance to buyers that the products they use to feed farmed fish are sourced and produced responsibly. The certification is granted at the factory level, with one requirement being that the producer must demonstrate that the fishery it sources from is responsibly managed. If a fishery does not meet these requirements, it must fulfil the objectives of a recognised Fishery Improvement Project and in this case the factory can gain acceptance through the MarinTrust Improver Programme.

Role of auditor in pre-assessment

A key aspect of the programme involves assessing the fishery from which the factory’s raw materials are sourced. An independent conducts a ‘pre-assessment’, which is the first step towards the full certification. The purpose of the pre-assessment is to help factory owners identify gaps in knowledge or activity within the supplying fishery.

The first step in the pre-assessment is to define what is being caught, such as the main target species and bycatch, where it is being caught, and how it is being caught (including the gear types used. This forms the basis of the ‘Unit of Assessment’, the exact definition of what will ultimately gain approval.

Assessing the fishery

The proportion of each species landed (the ‘catch composition’), and the presence of specific management plans are key factors in assessing the fishery. A particularly challenging aspect is classifying exactly what is being caught. Large purse seine nets often target the shoaling pelagics, and once landed, distinguishing between species can be difficult. For example, sardines are typically used for fishmeal and fish oil, but separating data and reports on distinct species remains a challenge. Smaller purse seine boats may face less regulation than larger vessels, so accurate and reliable catch data is not always easily available. A precautionary approach is generally taken, and any indications of other species being caught are included in the pre-assessment.

The assessment process

After defining the unit of assessment, the fishery is assessed against several sub-clauses covering three main areas: the composition of the catch, management regimes, and environmental impacts.

The assessor reviews available information and data to assess how well the evidence meets the requirements of each clause. Data sources include scientific papers, government reports, verified data provided by the client, third-party data (e.g. from other certification schemes) and credible news sources.

The aim of the pre-assessment is to identify what is known and what is unknown about the fishery. Gaps in knowledge, where clauses are not met, become specific tasks for a Fishery Action Plan. Once the assessment is complete, a peer review process is conducted, and the action plan, along with a site audit, initiates the factory into the MarinTrust Improver Programme, paving the way toward full certification. Earlier this year, Version 3 of the MarinTrust standard was, the most comprehensive assessment to date.

A step towards sustainability

While this certification is not a ‘silver bullet’ for all the issues in aquaculture, it is a positive step towards the sustainable and responsible development of aquaculture. It also contributes to increased transparency and credibility within the industry.

*Paul Mosnier, Aquaculture & Fisheries Consultant at MRAG Ltd. Paul is an approved MarinTrust Improver Programme Assessor.