Summary
This study researched the health of 31 northern European fish stocks which are fished by Marine Stewardship Council certified fisheries. Data for the research on stock assessment was obtained from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas. The study found that in the first year of certification 52% of the stocks were overfished above the maximum sustainable level and 16% were outside the safe biological limits. After certification for between 1 and 10 years no significant improvements were found. In the last certified year available, 44% of the stocks were overfished and 21% were outside the safe biological limits.