On World Ocean Day, International Survey on the Ocean Reveals Japan Has Lower Awareness of Overfishing Compared to Other Countries

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international nonprofit organization working to promote sustainable fisheries, today released the results of an awareness survey about the ocean conducted in 23 countries including Japan, on the UN-designated World Ocean Day, June 8. The survey revealed that many people have misconceptions about basic ocean facts. Approximately one in five respondents (19%) did not know that the ocean covers more area than land, and more than one in three (34%) were unaware that the deepest part of the ocean is deeper than Mount Everest. Responses in Japan were similar.

The survey was conducted by research and analysis firm GlobeScan on behalf of MSC, covering over 31,000 people in 23 countries. Across all surveyed countries, 66% correctly answered that overfishing has increased compared to 50 years ago, but 35% mistakenly believed that overfished stocks can never recover, and a further 26% responded that they did not know. In Japan, only 43% said overfishing has increased, significantly lower than the global average. Meanwhile, only 24% thought overfished stocks cannot recover, and 38% believed they can recover.

The results highlight widespread misconceptions about the ocean. They also clearly demonstrate the need to raise awareness that fish stocks can recover with proper management. In MSC's newly published report "Fishing for the Future" (English only), examples are presented of fish stocks that have recovered following the introduction of science-based effective fisheries management measures.

One example is the European sardine fishery in the Iberian Peninsula, where Portuguese and Spanish fishers collaborated under a new management plan, resulting in a fourfold increase in adult sardine biomass in 2025 compared to 2015.

Another is the Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic, which was on the brink of collapse at the end of the 20th century. A comprehensive recovery plan with strict rules for countries fishing bluefin tuna led to the stock recovering to its highest levels since the 1960s.

Hake (Merluccius), popular in the UK and Europe, severely declined in the early 1990s due to overfishing. Through sustainable management practices and the use of larger mesh gillnets, the stock has recovered and is maintained at healthy levels.

The survey also showed strong concern for ocean health, with 86% expressing anxiety about the current state of the ocean. Main concerns included climate change impacts, marine pollution, and overfishing. In Japan, 94% expressed concern, with marine pollution, climate change impacts, and overfishing cited in order.

Rupert Howes, Chief Executive of MSC, stated: "Looking at the collaboration between fisheries and MSC around the world, there is no doubt that it is possible to restore fish stocks even when challenges are great. Through science-based management, strong partnerships, and long-term commitment, we can manage fisheries sustainably. We need to spread this message of hope to more people and translate it into action."

Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, who contributed a foreword to "Fishing for the Future," said: "The cases in this report show that progress can be made through scientific and political efforts and close cooperation, regardless of the situation. The priority now is to solidify and expand this progress, ensuring that fish stocks continue to support ecosystems, economies, and future generations."

Note: MSC and GlobeScan have conducted consumer awareness surveys every two years since 2016. The 2026 survey was conducted from February to March 2026 across 23 countries, targeting over 31,000 people. Countries surveyed include 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)

An international nonprofit organization that works to promote sustainable and well-managed fisheries through its certification program and seafood ecolabel, to ensure fish stocks remain for future generations. Headquartered in London, it was founded in 1997 and now has offices in 25 countries worldwide. MSC Japan was established in 2007. Products bearing the MSC blue ecolabel were sold in over 70 countries with about 22,000 items in fiscal year 2024, including 660 items in Japan. Domestically, they are available at AEON Group, co-ops, Ito-Yokado/York, Seiyu, McDonald's, Royal Host, and others.

The MSC Fisheries Standard for sustainable and well-managed fisheries is widely recognized worldwide and is based on the latest scientific evidence. It is the only fisheries certification program that meets the requirements of both the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and ISEAL (International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling Alliance). To meet the standard, fisheries must demonstrate through independent third-party assessment that: (1) fish stocks are at sustainable levels, (2) environmental impact is minimized, and (3) a management system is in place to ensure long-term sustainability.

For more information, visit the MSC website: https://www.msc.org/jp

About the MSC blue ecolabel

The MSC blue ecolabel is only granted to seafood products from sustainable fisheries that have met the MSC's rigorous certification standards.