The rigour and integrity of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification process is much greater than Jennifer Jacquet and colleagues suggest (Nature 467, 28–29; 2010).

The certification process uses independent assessors who have no connection with the MSC, fishing organizations, environmental non-governmental campaigns or other groups. Independent oversight (by Accreditation Services International) ensures impartiality, as does the integrity of the independent scientists and fishery managers who participate in MSC assessments, and the openness of the assessment process. During assessment, stakeholder inputs are actively sought and evaluated, reports are peer-reviewed and open to stakeholder comment, and there is an independent objection process.

Jacquet et al. criticize the certification of some fisheries by Moody Marine (namely Antarctic toothfish and krill) and commend its certification of others (Alaska salmon and Vietnam clam), but all were certified to the same standard using the same process. Any wild-capture fishery may apply for MSC assessment and be evaluated without prejudice.

The MSC standard already requires that certified fisheries include no harmful subsidies and make appropriate use of various conservation measures (not limited to marine protection areas) to limit effects on by-catch, protected species, habitats and overall ecosystem function.