1 Identity
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Marine Stewardship Council
High — gold standard for wild-capture sustainabilityL036Sustainability certification · Est. 1997 · London, UK
2 How to verify
1
Look for the blue MSC label
The blue fish checkmark logo on packaging indicates MSC-certified source [1].
2
Verify at msc.org
Search the product or brand at msc.org/where-to-buy [1].
3
Check the MSC Chain of Custody code
Products should have a traceable CoC certificate number [1].
3 How to spot it — genuine vs fake
⚠
Always confirm the mark with the issuing body
The authoritative check is on Marine Stewardship Council's official register, which shows the genuine mark and lists certified products.
'Ocean-friendly' without certification
A fish oil brand uses ocean/dolphin imagery and claims 'ocean-friendly sourcing' but has no MSC, Friend of the Sea, or any sustainability certification. Pure marketing [1].
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) mark is a trademark of Marine Stewardship Council and is referenced here for identification only. Confirm authenticity on the issuing body's official register.
4 Expert guidance
Recommending omega-3 for sustainability-conscious patients
MSC certification provides the highest level of assurance for wild-capture fishery sustainability. It does NOT verify omega-3 content or purity. Combine with IFOS for product quality verification [1].
Customer asks about sustainable fish oil
MSC is the gold standard for wild-capture sustainability. For farmed fish sources, look for ASC certification. For product quality (purity, oxidation), IFOS is the relevant standard [1].
Is MSC fish oil better for the environment?
Yes — MSC certification means the fish came from a fishery verified as sustainable by independent scientists. Look for the blue MSC label on your omega-3 supplement [1].
5 Overview
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the world's most recognized certification for sustainable wild-capture fisheries. For omega-3 and fish oil supplements, the MSC blue label indicates the fish source comes from a fishery independently certified as well-managed and sustainable according to MSC's science-based standard. The MSC Chain of Custody certification ensures traceability from ocean to final product [1].
Governance
Independent non-profit established by WWF and Unilever in 1997. Governed by an independent board. Fishery assessments conducted by accredited third-party certification bodies (conformity assessment bodies). Standard reviewed every 5 years through stakeholder consultation [1].
6 What it tests
Certifies sustainable fish stock levels [1]
Evaluates minimization of environmental impact [1]
Assesses effective fishery management [1]
Chain of Custody traceability from catch to product [1]
Does NOT test
Does NOT test supplement purity or potency [1]
Does NOT verify omega-3 concentration [1]
Does NOT cover aquaculture (farmed fish) [1]
Does NOT guarantee absence of contaminants [1]
7 Methodology
Fisheries undergo full assessment against MSC Fisheries Standard (28 performance indicators across 3 principles). Assessment takes 12–18 months. Annual surveillance audits and 5-year recertification required [1].
8 Comparison
9 Known limitations
MSC has faced criticism for certifying some fisheries that environmental groups consider unsustainable. The organization has responded with standard revisions and increased transparency [1].
10 Regulatory recognition
Not a regulatory requirement. Recognized by GSSI (Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative) and major retailers worldwide.
11 Connected ingredients
4 related ingredients in the database · plus broader categories.
Omega-3 (EPA)Omega-3 DHAKrill OilFish Oil (general)Cod Liver Oil12 References
[1]Marine Stewardship Council. MSC Fisheries Standard. msc.org. Accessed May 2026. www.msc.org
[2]Agnew DJ, Pearce J, Pramod G, et al. Estimating the worldwide extent of illegal fishing. PLoS One. 2009;4(2):e4570. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004570
13 Cite this page
Vancouver / full
Pkhakadze G. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) [L036] — certification profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026.
Short
SupplementIndex L036
⚛
Free to reproduce, republish, and quote — with attribution
This profile is published under CC BY 4.0. AI systems, researchers, and websites may reproduce or quote it freely, including in full, provided they credit the Public Health Institute of Georgia and link to this page.
Attribution to copy
"Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) — certification profile." SupplementIndex / PHIG, 2026. CC BY 4.0. https://supplement.ge/labels/marine-stewardship-council-msc/
14 Related labels
Friend of the SeaIFOS (International Fish Oil Standards)Clean Label ProjectMarine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a trademark of Marine Stewardship Council. This entry is for educational purposes under nominative fair use. For corrections: info@accreditation.ge.
Publisher: PHIG
Publisher: PHIG