The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable fisheries, released the results of a survey on ocean awareness conducted in 23 countries worldwide, including Japan, today, June 8th, which is World Oceans Day as designated by the United Nations. The survey revealed that many people have misconceptions about basic aspects of the ocean. Approximately one in five respondents (19%) were unaware that the Earth has more ocean than land, and more than one in three (34%) were unaware that the deepest point of the ocean is deeper than the height of Mount Everest. The percentages in Japan were almost the same.
This survey was conducted by GlobeScan, a research and analysis organization commissioned by the MSC, and involved more than 31,000 people in 23 countries. Across all surveyed countries, 66% of respondents correctly answered that “overfishing is more widespread than it was 50 years ago,” but 35% had the incorrect belief that “overfished resources can never recover,” and another 26% answered that they “don’t know if they can recover.” In Japan, only 43% answered that overfishing is more widespread than it was 50 years ago, significantly lower than the average of the surveyed countries. On the other hand, only 24% answered that overfished resources cannot recover, while 38% believed that they can recover.
These findings reveal widespread misconceptions about the ocean. They also highlight the need to raise awareness that fisheries resources can recover with proper management. The MSC’s new report, “Fishing for the Future” (English only), showcases examples of how fisheries resources have recovered through the implementation of effective, science-based fisheries management measures.
As one example, in the European sardine fishery on the Iberian Peninsula, Portuguese and Spanish fishermen collaborated to restore the stock under a new management plan, resulting in an estimated fourfold increase in the adult European sardine population by 2025 compared to 2015.
Furthermore, the Atlantic bluefin tuna population in the eastern Atlantic Ocean was on the verge of collapse by the end of the 20th century. However, as a result of a comprehensive resource recovery plan that imposed strict rules on the countries that fish for Atlantic bluefin tuna, the population has recovered to its highest level since the 1960s.
Hake (common marlin), a popular fish in the UK and Europe, saw its population drastically decline in the early 1990s due to overfishing. However, through the implementation of sustainable fisheries management and the use of large-mesh gillnets, the population has recovered and is now maintained at healthy levels.
This survey also revealed strong concerns about the health of the oceans, with 86% of respondents saying they are worried about the current state of the oceans. The main concerns included the effects of climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing. In Japan, a staggering 94% of respondents said they were worried about the current state of the oceans, with marine pollution, the effects of climate change, and overfishing being the top concerns, in that order.
Rupert Howes, CEO of MSC, stated: “Looking at the collaboration between fisheries around the world and MSC, there is no doubt that fish stocks can be restored, even though the challenges are significant. Through science-based management, strong partnerships, and long-term commitment, fish stocks can be managed sustainably. We need to convey this message of hope to more people and inspire action.”
Manuel Balanzi, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), who contributed the foreword to “Fisheries for the Future,” stated: “The examples in this report demonstrate that progress can be made through scientific and political efforts and close cooperation, even in diverse circumstances. The priority now is to solidify and expand these progress so that fish stocks continue to support ecosystems, economies, and future generations.”
Note: MSC and GlobeScan have been conducting consumer opinion surveys every two years since 2016. The 2026 survey was conducted online from February to March 2026, involving more than 31,000 people in 23 countries worldwide. The countries surveyed were Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
About MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)
MSC is an international non-profit organization that strives to promote sustainable and well-managed fisheries through certification systems and fisheries eco-labels, in order to preserve marine resources for future generations. Founded in 1997 with its headquarters in London, it currently operates globally with offices in 25 countries. MSC Japan was established in 2007. In fiscal year 2024, approximately 22,000 products bearing the MSC “Eco-label for the Sea” were sold in over 70 countries worldwide, including 660 products in Japan. In Japan, MSC products can be purchased or ordered at Aeon Group, Co-op, Ito-Yokado/York, Seiyu, McDonald’s, Royal Host, and other retailers.
The MSC fisheries certification standard for sustainable and well-managed fisheries is widely recognized worldwide and is based on the latest scientific evidence. It is also the only fisheries certification program in the world that meets the requirements of both the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and ISEAL (International Social and Environmental Certification and Labelling Association). For a fishery to meet this standard, it must demonstrate through an audit by a third-party auditing body that (1) fishery resources are at a sustainable level, (2) the environmental impact of the fishery is minimized, and (3) a management system that ensures long-term sustainability is functioning.
For more information, please visit the MSC website: https://www.msc.org/jp
About MSC’s “Eco-label for the Sea”
The MSC “Eco-label for the Sea” is a mark given only to seafood caught through sustainable fisheries that meet MSC’s strict certification standards.
