MSC Ocean Stewardship Fund
Enriched Corporate · Found: 2026-03-10 13:30
Established in 2019, the MSC Ocean Stewardship Fund has allocated approximately $8.8 million to over 200 fisheries and projects globally. Funded by 5% of annual royalties from MSC-certified product sales. In 2022, US$936,000 was distributed across 22 grants ranging from $6,500 to $68,000 for bycatch reduction, habitat protection, and ecological research.
Source: https://msc.org/for-business/fisheries/funding
Funding Details
- Funder
- Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
- Funding Goal
- Fund fisheries sustainability improvement, scientific research to maintain MSC certification, support for MSC-certified fisheries in recertification, and student research grants. Four sub-funds: Transition Assistance Fund (fisheries improving toward MSC certification), Science and Research Fund (research overcoming barriers to maintaining MSC certification), Recertification Assistance Fund (covering Conformity Assessment Body fees for recertification), and Student Research Grants (postgraduate researchers).
- Funding Amount
- Total fund of approximately $13 million mobilised to date; $8.8 million allocated to nearly 200 fisheries and projects. Individual grant amounts vary by sub-fund.
- How to Apply
- Main Ocean Stewardship Fund is currently closed for new applications. Recertification Assistance Fund applications are open on a rolling basis. Applications via MSC website at https://msc.org/for-business/fisheries/funding
- Target Region
- Global
- Contact
- Marine House, 1 Snow Hill, London EC1A 2DH | https://msc.org/about-the-msc/contact-us
- Last Checked
- 2026-03-15 09:39
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
The MSC Ocean Stewardship Fund provides grants to support fisheries on their path to sustainability. The fund is financed by 5% of annual royalties from MSC-certified seafood sales, supplemented by third-party donations, and has mobilised nearly $13 million since its launch in 2019. The fund operates through four mechanisms: the Transition Assistance Fund for fisheries verifiably improving toward MSC certification; the Science and Research Fund for research overcoming certification barriers; the Recertification Assistance Fund (currently open on a rolling basis) helping MSC-certified fisheries cover Conformity Assessment Body fees; and Student Research Grants for postgraduate researchers working with MSC-engaged fisheries. The main Ocean Stewardship Fund grant programme is currently closed for new applications, but the Recertification Assistance Fund remains open on a rolling basis. Eligibility is linked to engagement with the MSC programme — either certified, in an improvement programme, or conducting relevant research. This fund is specifically geared toward commercial fisheries and their scientific support rather than NGO-led marine conservation projects. However, it is relevant for fisheries improvement projects and research organisations working with MSC-engaged fisheries globally.
Historical Context
The Ocean Stewardship Fund was created in 2019, replacing the Global Fisheries Sustainability Fund (GFSF). MSC commits 5% of annual royalties from certified product sales plus third-party donations. To date, nearly $13 million mobilised and $8.8 million allocated to nearly 200 projects globally.
Why it was added
Major marine conservation fund supporting fisheries sustainability, bycatch reduction, and habitat protection. Directly relevant to aquaculture-adjacent marine conservation.
Sources
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