90% of US Fisheries Meet Sustainable Standards, MSC Reports

SCEMFIS members highlighted for MSC-certified sustainable fisheries

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) reported that 90% of the U.S. catch by volume is MSC-certified and meets the organization's sustainability guidelines. Several members of the Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS), an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center, participate in MSC-certified fisheries including Atlantic and Gulf menhaden, Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog, longfin and shortfin squid, black sea bass, summer flounder, Atlantic and Pacific tuna, and scup.

Why it matters

The MSC certification highlights the sustainability efforts of U.S. fisheries, which is important for access to domestic and international markets that value sustainable seafood. SCEMFIS plays a key role in advancing scientific research to support the sustainability of these certified fisheries.

The details

The MSC sets criteria to ensure healthy fish stocks, minimal harmful impacts on marine ecosystems, and effective management. 62 species in the U.S. are MSC certified, with over 1,300 certified products available. SCEMFIS, an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center, collaborates with the fishing industry and scientists to conduct research that has directly improved the sustainability of many MSC-certified fisheries, including providing insights on the impacts of climate change, updating stock assessments, and analyzing economic impacts.

  • In 2025, MSC became the newest member of the SCEMFIS Industry Advisory Board.

The players

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

An organization that sets criteria to ensure healthy fish stocks, minimal harmful impacts on marine ecosystems, and effective management. 62 species in the U.S. are MSC certified, with over 1,300 certified products available.

Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS)

An Industry-University Cooperative Research Center that brings together academic and industry expertise to address scientific challenges facing sustainable fisheries through advanced methods, analytical tools, and collaborative research.

Wayne Reichle

The Owner and President of Lund's Fisheries, a member of SCEMFIS's Industry Advisory Board.

Anthony Mastitski

The Fisheries Outreach Manager at MSC.

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What they’re saying

“For nearly ten years, Lund's Fisheries, Inc. has collaborated with the MSC, and our partner conformity assessment bodies (CABs), to assure domestic and international markets vitally important to our long-term success that the seafood we produce is managed sustainably based on rigorous, annual, scientific and monitoring reviews. Our MSC-certified Atlantic sea scallop, Atlantic and Pacific squid, and Atlantic menhaden purse seine, scup, fluke and black sea bass trawl fisheries have provided us with access to markets that would not otherwise be available to our third-generation fishing company, to the benefit of our community, our employees and our company and independent fishermen whose cooperation we depend upon each day as we plan for the future.”

— Wayne Reichle, Owner and President, Lund's Fisheries (Marine Stewardship Council)

“SCEMFIS plays a pivotal role in advancing scientific research across U.S. fisheries, including many that are MSC-certified. Thanks in part to SCEMFIS, these fisheries have maintained their certifications and continue to offer sustainable seafood options to consumers at home and abroad.”

— Anthony Mastitski, Fisheries Outreach Manager, MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)

The takeaway

The high percentage of U.S. fisheries meeting MSC's sustainable standards, with the help of research from SCEMFIS, demonstrates the fishing industry's commitment to environmental stewardship and the ability to balance economic needs with ecological conservation.