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Troubled Waters

Used by many supermarkets to advocate their sustainable seafood programs, the Marine Stewardship Council's little blue label has become the standard-bearer in many fresh departments. Yet, criticism has surfaced. Writing in the journal Nature, researchers from the University of British Columbia contend that the organization has certified unsustainable fisheries, and that the inspection process, through

Used by many supermarkets to advocate their sustainable seafood programs, the Marine Stewardship Council's little blue label has become the standard-bearer in many fresh departments.

Yet, criticism has surfaced. Writing in the journal Nature, researchers from the University of British Columbia contend that the organization has certified unsustainable fisheries, and that the inspection process, through which third-party certifiers receive upwards of $100,000 from fisheries, is ripe for abuse.

In response, MSC says that its program is science-based and sound.