Marine Stewardship Council – Ireland Bottom Grown Mussel and Ireland Rope Grown Mussel

Marine Stewardship Council

Marine Stewardship Council certification is the world’s most recognised benchmark for sustainability in fisheries.  The MSC Fisheries Standard is based on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) code of conduct for responsible fisheries. The Standard is developed in consultation with a range of people and organisations around the world, including government academics, researchers, the fishing industry and NGOs.  Certification to the MSC standard can provide enhanced reputation, better visibility; improve dialogue with stakeholders, a pathway for improvements, protected livelihoods, and access to new markets, secure markets and promotional opportunities. 

The mussel seed fishery on the island of Ireland is managed on an all-island basis by the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine (DAFM) in Ireland (IE), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland (NI) and the cross-border Loughs Agency.

Ireland is now certified for both Bottom & Rope mussels.  A central certification for the whole mussel industry represents an innovative approach to the certification process and provides best value for money for the whole industry.  

September 2020, BIM was awarded the MSC Ocean Hero Award, presented for outstanding achievement in the realm of MSC fishery certificate holders.  This award is designed to recognise and reward a fishery that has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the field of seafood sustainability and made a unique contribution to furthering the sustainability of fisheries.

Marine Stewardship Council projects are part funded through the Knowledge Gateway Scheme which is established under Union Priority 2 of Ireland’s Operational Programme under the EMFF and is co-funded by the Irish Government and the EU.