What is the MarinTrust By-Product Assessment?

Sourcing approved by-products is an essential prerequisite for MarinTrust certification. Approving wild-capture by-products under the MarinTrust standard involves a structured, independent assessment to ensure the by-product meets the specific criteria set by MarinTrust.

The assessment is designed to verify that:

  • The species does not originate from endangered or prohibited sources
  • The raw material is not linked to IUU fishing activity
  • Additional traceability safeguards and stock health evaluations are in place where higher levels of IUU risk are identified
  • By-product raw materials used in MarinTrust certified production meet the requirements of the MarinTrust Standard

What are By-Products under the MarinTrust Standard?

BP definition

Scope of the Assessment

The assessment applies to by-products originating from human food and pet food processing streams that are intended for use in the production of MarinTrust certified marine ingredients. The assessment is conducted at species level and includes consideration of vessel flag state information and supporting traceability data where required. 
The following raw materials are not eligible for approval:
•    Marine mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds
•    Materials originating from fisheries using destructive practices such as dynamiting or poisoning
•    Species listed on CITES Appendix I or Appendix II
•    Species classified by the IUCN as Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR)

 

By-Product Assessment Process

The assessment follows a stepwise, risk-based methodology, showing what information needs to be provided and how the assessment is done. 

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Prepare Application Information

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Compile species information, source details, vessel flag state information and supporting traceability records required assessing the by-products. 

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Submit Application

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Submit by-product information through the MarinTrust application process and provide any additional evidence requested by the Certification Body. 

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Certification Body Assessment 

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Third-party assessor evaluation

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A qualified third-party assessor evaluates the by-product against the MarinTrust By-Product Assessment Criteria and determines the outcome. 

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    Step 1 - Species Eligibility Check

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    The first stage determines whether the by-product species is eligible for assessment.
    Assessors review:

    • CITES listings
    • IUCN Red List status

    A species will automatically fail if it:

    • Appears on CITES Appendix I or II
    • Is classified by the IUCN as Endangered or Critically Endangered

    Species classified as Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern or Data Deficient may proceed to the next stage of assessment. Species not listed by IUCN are considered eligible to proceed. 
    Outcome

    • Eligible species proceed to Step 2
    • Ineligible species are designated Not Approved. 
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    Step 2 - IUU Risk Assessment

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    The second stage evaluates the risk of IUU fishing associated with the vessel flag state responsible for catching the source raw material.
    The assessment considers a range of internationally recognised indicators, including:

    • IUU Fishing Risk Index scores
    • Port State performance
    • RFMO participation
    • EU carding status
    • Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) participation
    • Governance and regulatory quality indicators. 

    Where multiple flag states are involved, the highest-risk result is applied using the precautionary approach. 

    Outcomes of Step 2

    Risk Rating Outcome
    Low RiskMarinTrust Approved
    Medium RiskMarinTrust Approved – Source with Caution
    High Risk Progresses to Step 3

    Certificate holders using material classified as Source with Caution are subject to additional verification requirements during the MarinTrust audit process.

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    Step 3: Management Framework Assessment

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    Where Step 2 identifies a high IUU risk, a more detailed assessment is required to determine whether adequate controls and safeguards exist.
    This stage may include:

    • Traceability reviews
    • Evaluation of fishery management arrangements through a Category C assessment of the stock and fishery management framework
    • Review of the traceability evidence demonstrating mitigation of identified risks

    Applicants are provided with a defined period to submit supporting evidence to the Certification Body. Failure to provide the required information will result in by-product being classified as Not Approved.  

    Special Provision for MarinTrust Approved Whole Fish Sources 
    Where by-products originate from a species that are already MarinTrust Approved through the whole fish assessment process, a risk assessment adjustment may be available.
    This applies where:

    • The by-product originates from the same approved species
    • The whole fish fishery already holds MarinTrust Approved status

    Under these circumstances, certain by-products that would otherwise be classified as high risk may be downgraded to medium risk, recognising that the whole fish assessment has already addressed key management and traceability considerations. 
     

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    Assessment Outcomes

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    Following completion of the assessment, a by-product species will receive one of the following outcomes:

    ApprovedBy-product species is low risk and is MarinTrust Approved. 
    Approved source with cautionBy-product species is medium risk and is MarinTrust Approved. However, the Source with Caution label indicates that there are additional requirements in the MarinTrust Standard which shall be verified during the factory audit.
    Not approvedBy-product species is deemed high risk and is not approved. High risk by-products shall not be sourced by MarinTrust certified facilities (MarinTrust Standard clause 2.11.3.3).

    Annual assessment

    Approved by-products are assessed every year by an independent third-party assessor. This ensures the by-products and facility continue to comply with the MarinTrust requirements.

    Further Information
    For the complete methodology, assessment criteria and guidance, please refer to: STG-008 MarinTrust By-Product Assessment Criteria Version 3.2 (April 2025). 
    For questions regarding by-product assessments, contact [email protected].