The Evidence Requirements Framework is a new method for evaluating the information used to assess a fishery’s sustainability against the MSC Fisheries Standard.
What is the Evidence Requirements Framework?
The Evidence Requirements Framework is a procedure set out in the in the MSC Fisheries Standard Toolbox and was published alongside the MSC Fisheries Standard Version 3 in October 2022.
It provides assessors with a systematic method to evaluate the accuracy and precision of information available to assess a fishery’s environmental impacts and compliance with monitoring regulations.
It focuses on the evaluation of fisheries' information systems, including how information is collected, reported, handled and analysed.
When should the Evidence Requirements Framework be used?
The Evidence Requirements Framework is a mandatory tool that must be used in every fishery assessment against Version 3.1 of the Fisheries Standard.
It is primarily used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of information available to assess a fishery’s environmental impacts under Principle 2 of the Standard. It is also used in the evaluation of requirements on shark finning and compliance within Principle 1 and Principle 3, respectively.
Revising the Evidence Requirements Framework
A consultation on the proposed revisions to the Evidence Requirements Framework, and other aspects of the Standard and scheme documents, is open until 8 December 2026.
