Grants of up to £50,000 are up for grabs for fisheries with innovative projects within the Marine Stewardship Council programme and for those seeking funds for recertifications. Master’s or PhD students are also being invited to apply for Student Research Grants of up to £10,000 for research that helps MSC certified fisheries improve their environmental performance.
The MSC’s Ocean Stewardship Fund (OSF) has already made a significant impact maintaining stocks and protecting marine ecosystems in more than 200 fisheries globally through the £9 million in grants which have been awarded since its launch in 2019. Fisheries all over the world, including Californian squid and Iberian sardines, are among those that have benefitted from grants in recent years. The OSF is largely funded by 5% of annual royalties from the sale of MSC certified products.
Lewis Tattersall, Senior Fisheries Outreach Manager for UK and Ireland, said: “Thanks to sales of MSC certified seafood and the generous support of mission-aligned and corporate partners, we’ve been able to help fund some outstanding and innovative projects over the last seven years.
“The OSF provides fisheries, academics, and research institutions with an excellent opportunity to advance the goal we’re all working towards – ending overfishing and protecting the marine environment.”
The Cornish Hake Fishery was a recent UK beneficiary of the MSC Recertification Assistance Fund. Chris Ranford, chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation, explained the difference the grant has made and encouraged others to apply now the OSF is inviting new bids.
"It's a brilliant opportunity for any fishery looking to follow the same path," Chris said, adding: "The OSF grant we received makes a massive difference to a fishery like ours. Enabling us to cover the costs of the MSC recertification process means the 9-vessel fleet and everyone working onshore to support the hake fishery can look forward to another five years of sustainable fishing with all the related financial and environmental benefits that brings."
The Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) was also able to access the Recertification Assistance Fund for its inshore brown crab and scallop fishery after its second successful recertification in January 2026.
John Robertson, Inshore Co-ordinator of the SSMO, said: "The SSMO is a small and very lean organisation so a nice big refund is music to our ears. It can be a challenge for fisheries like ours to take the plunge with the MSC but our fishermen reap the rewards with every kilo of crab and scallops.”
Applications are being accepted now for three funds – the Science and Research Fund, Student Research Grants and the Recertification Fund.
Expressions of interest in grants up to £50,000 for the Science and Research Fund must be submitted by 18 October. Applications must align with this year’s theme - reducing impacts on Endangered, Threatened or Protected (ETP) species such as sharks, whales and dolphins in fisheries engaged in the MSC programme, either through certification or as part of the MSC’s Improvement Program. The MSC is particularly keen to support projects which generate and promote benefits and best practice which extend beyond one single fishery.
Master’s or PhD students have until 28 February 2027 to apply for a Student Research Grant. In the UK and Ireland that could cover student research in any fishery which is already MSC certified, is part of the MSC Improvement Program, or is involved in a comprehensive Fishery Improvement Project (FIP).
Finally, fisheries embarking on MSC recertification for at least the second time can apply to the Recertification Fund for grants up to a maximum of £30,000 or 75% of their reassessment costs.
Full details about the fund, including how to apply, are available on the OSF grants portal: https://msc.smartsimpleuk.com/s_Login.jsp.
