MSC Enhanced Fisheries Eligibility: Catch-and-Grow Scope Rules

Understanding MSC enhanced fisheries eligibility

Evaluating MSC enhanced fisheries eligibility determines whether a production system involving human intervention can enter assessment under the MSC Fisheries Standard or is excluded as intensive aquaculture. To be eligible, an enhanced fishery must rely at some point on the capture of wild organisms, maintain self-sustaining native wild stocks, and avoid substantial artificial food inputs. Quality leads and auditors can access complete guidance in our MSC Fisheries reference articles.

The rationale behind these scope rules stems from the core mission of the Marine Stewardship Council to reward sustainable wild-capture fishing. While closed, intensive aquaculture operations fall outside the program's scope, certain enhanced fisheries that supplement natural production or rely on brief captive phases remain eligible. Establishing explicit eligibility boundaries ensures that enhanced production systems do not compromise wild stock genetic diversity, alter natural ecosystem functions, or introduce unmanaged environmental impacts.

Under Clause 1.1.3 and Table 1 of the MSC Fisheries Standard version 3.0, as well as Section 7.4.8.7 of the MSC Fisheries Certification Process version 2.3, enhanced fisheries are categorised into three distinct production systems: hatch-and-catch, catch-and-grow, and habitat-modified operations. Every enhanced Unit of Assessment must conform to all scope criteria in Table 1 across three core categories: linkages to wild stocks, feeding and husbandry, and habitat or ecosystem impacts.

Scope criteria for hatch-and-catch and catch-and-grow systems

To maintain eligibility, compliance managers must verify that operational practices conform strictly to the parameters defined in Table 1 of the standard. The scope rules distinguish between the brief captive culture permitted in hatch-and-catch systems and the grow-out controls required for catch-and-grow operations.

In hatch-and-catch systems, marine or freshwater species are raised to a larval or juvenile stage in hatcheries and released into the wild environment to be harvested later. Under Table 1 Criterion B.i, artificial feeding in hatch-and-catch operations is strictly limited to growing animals to a small size prior to release, ensuring that no more than 10 per cent of average adult maximum weight occurs in captivity and at least 90 per cent of total growth is achieved in the wild phase. Furthermore, stocking must not form a major part of a current rebuilding plan for depleted stocks.

In catch-and-grow systems, wild juveniles, seed, or spat are harvested from natural aquatic ecosystems and grown in captivity until commercial sale. Under Table 1 Criterion B.i, feeding during the captive phase must occur only by natural means, such as filter feeding in cultured bivalves, or at minimal levels that maintain animal condition without driving weight gain. Under Criterion B.ii, catch-and-grow operations must not routinely require disease prevention involving chemical compounds or medicinal prophylactic treatments.

Assessment tree selection and enhancement evaluation

Once a Conformity Assessment Body confirms that an enhanced fishery meets all scope criteria, the assessment team must select or modify the appropriate assessment tree. The MSC framework provides dedicated normative annexes for specific enhanced species while establishing general rules for other enhanced operations.

Fisheries seeking certification under updated program rules should consult our practical guide to transitioning to MSC Fisheries Standard v3.0 to align assessment preparation. For enhanced bivalve fisheries, teams apply Annex SB, which tailors scoring requirements based on whether spat collection involves dredging or rope collectors, and whether translocations occur. For salmon fisheries influenced by artificial production, teams must apply Annex SC, scoring stock status solely against wild-origin fish under Principle 1 and evaluating enhancement impacts under dedicated enhancement Performance Indicators.

Under Clause 7.7.1 of the MSC Fisheries Certification Process version 2.3 and version 3.0, if an enhanced fishery is not covered by Annex SB or Annex SC, the certification body must review and modify the default assessment tree. The modified tree must evaluate enhancement activities against natural stock reproductive capacity, translocation impacts on genetic diversity and disease transmission, and physical environmental modifications under Principle 2.

• Review operational data against Table 1 criteria to confirm basic eligibility before submitting the application.
• Determine whether the species falls under dedicated normative annexes, such as Annex SB for bivalves or Annex SC for salmon.
• Draft proposed modifications to the default assessment tree if the fishery falls outside existing annexes, ensuring all enhancement impacts are addressed.
• Submit the modified assessment tree for public stakeholder review and MSC technical oversight prior to the Announcement Comment Draft Report.

Audit verification and landed catch traceability

Conformity Assessment Bodies scrutinise both biological impacts and physical handling during audit evaluations. A critical aspect of enhanced fishery auditing involves establishing clear points of change of ownership and defining eligibility dates for certified products.

Under Section GS1.1.3 of the MSC Guidance to the Fisheries Standard, only the portion of catch that is clearly landed during the catching operation—meaning permanently removed from the natural water body—is eligible to enter certified Chains of Custody. If organisms undergo an intermediate grow-out phase in captivity without being landed first, the operation is evaluated as an inseparable whole, and all enhanced scope criteria apply across the entire production cycle.

Example

A blue mussel fishery operates a catch-and-grow system where wild spat is collected on suspended ropes, grown in coastal waters without artificial feed or medicinal chemicals, and harvested for market. During the initial assessment, the compliance lead presents spat collection logs, native species records, and benthic monitoring surveys to the Conformity Assessment Body.

The auditor evaluates the fishery against Table 1 and confirms that feeding relies entirely on natural phytoplankton and habitat modifications caused by rope structures are fully reversible. Applying Annex SB, the team determines that Principle 1 stock status scoring is not required because spat collection on ropes does not threaten parent stock recruitment. The fishery passes assessment under Principle 2 and Principle 3, securing certification without needing a Principle 1 stock assessment expert on the audit team.

Before your audit

• Verify that the fishery relies on native species and maintains self-sustaining wild stock components.
• Confirm that hatch-and-catch operations achieve at least 90 per cent of total organism growth in the wild.
• Ensure that catch-and-grow systems use no artificial feeds or routine medicinal chemical treatments.
• Document that all physical structures or habitat modifications are reversible without permanent ecological harm.
• Collate spat or seed harvest logs to demonstrate that seed collection does not compromise wild parent stocks.
• Review translocation protocols and biosecurity records if wild seed or juveniles are moved between bodies of water.
• Verify whether your fishery falls under Annex SB for bivalves or Annex SC for salmon, or requires a modified assessment tree.
• Establish clear landing protocols to distinguish wild-harvested catch from captive grow-out inventory.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between a catch-and-grow and a hatch-and-catch fishery under MSC rules?

In hatch-and-catch systems, organisms are spawned or raised in hatcheries before release into the wild for harvest, whereas catch-and-grow operations harvest wild seed or juveniles and raise them in captive grow-out systems.

Can an enhanced fishery use artificial feeds and still qualify for MSC certification?

In hatch-and-catch systems, feeding is permitted only during a brief early stage so that at least 90 per cent of growth occurs in the wild. In catch-and-grow systems, artificial feeding to achieve growth is prohibited.

Are habitat modifications allowed in MSC certified enhanced fisheries?

Yes, provided the physical modifications are reversible or do not cause serious or irreversible harm to the natural structure and function of the surrounding marine or freshwater ecosystem.

How are enhanced salmon fisheries scored under the MSC Fisheries Standard?

Enhanced salmon fisheries are scored using Annex SC, where Principle 1 stock status reference points are based strictly on wild-origin salmon, and artificial production impacts are evaluated under dedicated enhancement Performance Indicators.

Reference documents

• MSC General Certification Requirements version 2.7
• MSC Fisheries Certification Process version 2.3
• MSC Fisheries Certification Process version 3.0
• MSC Fisheries Standard version 2.01
• MSC Fisheries Standard version 3.0