Conserving Clams and Culture

This talk focuses on the wider success story of one fishery gaining sustainable certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Whilst the MSC standard protects the fish stocks it also encompasses the management of the fishery, protecting the legal rights established by the customs of people dependent on fishing for their food or livelihood. This can result in strong conservation alliances between communities and the sea.

The Vietnam Ben Tre Clam Fishery is a wonderful example that MSC would like to share. The story of the Vietnam Ben Tre Clam Fishery illustrates how MSC certification helped expand the market of a once-domestic fishery while increasing sustainability. The fishery is now managed by a cooperative-based system, allowing villagers to take ownership of the marine resources. By Lauren Koerner from the Marine Stewardship Council.