A stakeholder workshop held in Kochi on Monday highlighted that the country is making remarkable progress towards sustainable fisheries. Most of the prioritised species are nearing the completion of Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) This is critical for assessing the fishery against the standard of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification which includes sustainable stock levels, minimal environmental impact and effective fishery management systems. The demand for certified seafood has witnessed a significant surge in the global markets, the workshop observed. Currently 63 countries are actively engaged in MSC certification. Over 15 per cent of the total marine catch across the globe is certified fishery. International buyers, especially in Europe, the US and Japan, are increasingly demanding certified sustainable seafood, said Amanda Lejbowicz, Head of Fisheries Standard Accessibility of MSC, London. In India, a dozen prioritised fisheries have already conducted pre-assessments against the MSC Standards, enabling stakeholders to develop clear action plans for improvement. The workshop was hosted by the Sustainable Seafood Network India (SSNI) in association with various stakeholders to equip the stakeholders with the principles.