SGS Product & Process Certification - Marine Stewardship Council

Scoring criteria Scoring guidepost 60 Scoring guidepost 80 Scoring guidepost 100
3.2.4
Research plan:
The fishery has a
research
plan that addresses
the
information needs of
management.
(1-60) Research is undertaken,
as required, to achieve the
objectives consistent with
MSC‘s Principles 1 and 2.
(2-60) Research results are
available to interested parties.
(1-80) A research plan
provides the management
system with a strategic
approach to research and
reliable and timely information
sufficient to achieve the
objectives consistent with
MSC‘s Principles 1 and 2.
(2-80) Research results are
disseminated to all interested
parties in a timely fashion.
(1-100) A comprehensive
research plan provides the
management system with a
coherent and strategic
approach to research across
P1, P2 and P3, and reliable
and timely information
sufficient to achieve the
objectives consistent with
MSC‘s Principles 1 and 2.
(2-100) Research plan and
results are disseminated to all
interested parties in a timely
fashion and are widely and
publicly available.
Scoring comments
ICES establishes terms of references for Working Groups based on information requirements identified by national delegates, including
through industry representations, and by the EC, and has established a Working Group (WGNEW) on (largely non-quota) species for which
scientific advice may be sought under a MoU between the EC and ICES. These new MOU species include sea bass. There is some informal
research planning coordination via the North Sea Demersal RAC, though this has not included sea bass.
The EU research is coordinated by the EC and through the ERA nets and framework projects.
Under the Marine Strategy Framework, Member States are required to develop strategies for their marine waters. The marine strategies
must contain a detailed assessment of the state of the environment, a definition of "good environmental status" at regional level and the
establishment of clear environmental targets and monitoring programmes.
At national level, the Dutch government fund national (fisheries) research institutes to conduct projects that automatically involve planning
and selecting research areas that require further information (1-80).
Fundamental research, for example on environmental influences on stock dynamics or ecosystem impact studies, seems to be left to
individual scientists and the priorities and financial constraints of their parent organisations. Such work is undertaken on sea bass by British,
Dutch and French institutes and universities.
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