Does the availability of the RBF allow fisheries to “dumb down” and not use the full suite of available data in an assessment?
Although in theory, a fishery could attempt to hide data in order to prevent it from being used in an assessment, this is highly unlikely. If it did happen, however, using the RBF will not make it easier for a fishery to pass MSC assessment – even if it is covering up unfavourable data. This is because of the highly precautionary nature of the RBF methods in the absence of information. The MSC requires all available data to be used in an assessment. Data cannot simply be ignored. The assessment process is structured in several stages and requires certifiers to collect data and hold stakeholder consultations. The reason for this is to ensure that all MSC assessments are the best informed that they can possibly be. The RBF can only be used if the best data available to the assessors is still not sufficient to undertake the standard assessment using the default Performance Indicators and Scoring Guideposts. For example, a data-rich industrial fishery would not be allowed to undertake an R
