There is international consensus that many of the world's commercial fisheries are in distress. Eco-labelling schemes are increasingly perceived as a way to simultaneously maintain the productivity and economic value of fisheries while providing incentives for improved fisheries management and the conservation of marine biodiversity. This review provides an overview of issues to be addressed for effective fisheries eco-labelling schemes, targeting policy-makers, private industry and civil society (e.g.NGOs and community based and fishers' organisations)