Who determines sustainability?

Abstract

Over the past 20 years many different certification or rating schemes for sustainable fisheries have evolved, that attempt to influence consumer tastes and preferences and thereby incentivise better fisheries practices. This short review paper aims to document the history of such schemes, to consider their apparent differences and the basis upon which sustainability standards were developed. While there is some consistency between schemes in terms of the elements that should be considered as part of sustainability, and the general outcomes that sustainable fisheries should strive for, with the exception of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) there is less agreement on the specific details of how this should be measured or what reference points should be considered as sustainable. This arises from a lack of specific consideration or agreement on these issues in the international policy community.