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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMSC identifies seafood from independently certified wild fisheries; ASC identifies seafood from independently certified farms; and “local catch” or a catch-area statement describes origin, not sustainability certification. These labels answer different questions, so none is a substitute for the others. For covered seafood products sold in the EU, origin information is regulated, with more specific area details required for catches from the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
At a glance: what each label tells you
| Mark or wording | What it indicates | What it does not establish on its own |
|---|---|---|
| MSC | Wild-caught seafood from a fishery independently certified to the MSC environmental fishing standard, with supply-chain traceability and segregation controls. | The precise catch area. Check the separate origin information where provided or required. |
| ASC | Farmed seafood from farms independently certified to the ASC environmental and social standard, with chain-of-custody controls. | That the seafood was farmed locally, or that it came from a nearby sea or coast. Farm origin is separate information. |
| “Local catch” or catch-area wording | The stated place or area where seafood was caught. For covered products in the EU, catch-area information is part of required consumer labeling. | Sustainability certification, fishing method, or superior environmental performance. |
| Commercial or local fish name | A market designation for a species; EU national lists may include accepted local or regional names. | Certification status or proof that the fish was caught nearby. |
What the MSC label means
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) program is for wild fisheries that catch marine or freshwater organisms. Its mark indicates that the seafood comes from a fishery independently certified to MSC’s environmental standard for fishing. MSC’s stated product claim is: “This seafood comes from a fishery that has been independently certified to the MSC’s environmental standard for fishing.” MSC label guidelines explain the claim and packaging requirements.
The MSC mark does not tell you the exact catch area by itself. Look for the product’s separate origin details if you want to know where it was caught.
How the MSC supply-chain controls fit in
MSC’s Chain of Custody Standard is intended to keep certified seafood identifiable and separate from non-certified seafood as it moves through certified businesses, tracing it back to the fishery. MSC packaging instructions call for the label, a relevant claim, and a chain-of-custody code that identifies the certified supply-chain operator associated with the product. Read more about MSC standards and MSC brand guidelines.
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What the ASC label means
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) label applies to farmed seafood from farms independently certified to ASC’s environmental and social standard. ASC’s stated claim is: “Seafood from farms that have been independently certified to the ASC environmental and social standard.” The label therefore concerns aquaculture, not wild-capture fisheries. See ASC’s label guidance.
How ASC traceability works
ASC says its chain-of-custody certification uses the MSC Chain of Custody Standard, strengthened by an ASC module, to verify origin and protect the integrity of labeled supply chains. This helps support traceability; it does not make ASC a wild-catch certification. Details are in ASC’s Chain of Custody Standard.
ASC packaging claims are in transition
ASC’s label and claim wording is changing in response to implementation of the EU Empowering Consumers Directive. Its label page, updated 27 August 2026, lists different old-label submission deadlines for EU consumer products and products sold elsewhere. Because transition guidance is time-sensitive, check the current ASC label page before relying on a deadline or reproducing a particular package design.
What “local catch” and EU catch-area information mean
“Local catch” is a geographic description, not a certification equivalent to MSC or ASC. It is useful only to the extent that the place or area is clearly identified. The phrase alone does not establish how the fishery is managed, what fishing gear was used, or whether the seafood meets a sustainability standard.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallEU rules apply to fishery and aquaculture products covered by Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013; they should not be treated as universal rules for every processed seafood product or every country. For covered products, consumer information includes the catch or production area and, for caught fishery products, the fishing-gear category. For sea-caught products from the Mediterranean and Black Sea (FAO Fishing Area 37), the relevant sub-area or division must be presented in consumer-understandable terms, or shown using a map or pictogram. See Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 and the European Commission’s consumer-label pocket guide.
Fish names are not origin or certification labels
A commercial designation tells you the species name used in the market; it does not say whether the seafood is certified or where it was caught. The European Commission’s Fish Names site brings together Member State lists of commercial designations, which can include scientific names and accepted local or regional names. Use the Fish Names site information to understand what a name means, not as evidence of certification or nearby origin.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare seafood options without mixing up the claims
When comparing two Mediterranean seafood products, keep these questions separate rather than treating the marks as interchangeable:
- Production type: Is it wild-caught or farmed?
- Certification: Is there an MSC or ASC mark, and what production scope does it cover?
- Location: What catch area or farm-production area is stated, and how specific is it?
- Traceability: Can the seller identify the product and its supply-chain information?
- Species and method: What species and, where available, what fishing-gear category are listed?
The labels and EU origin rules help explain these details, but they do not rank particular Mediterranean fisheries, farms, species, or products. Comparing a specific item’s environmental performance requires product-level provenance and relevant assessment information.
Check that a certification claim is supported
A certification logo or wording should not be inferred from an unsupported seller description. Certification marks and claims have use rules; MSC’s guidance covers the label and claim, while ASC publishes current label and chain-of-custody information. If a seller’s wording is unclear, ask what product and certification it refers to rather than assuming “local,” “responsibly sourced,” or a fish name means MSC- or ASC-certified.
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