Abstract
This study gauged the competence of auditors by analyzing the first draft of an audit report for a fishery ecolabel originating in Japan (Marine Ecolabel Japan certification). The reporting of aquaculture certification has improved significantly since the introduction of a peer review system. The results of the principal component analysis showed that audit experience and the number of peer reviews received were important factors in the improvement of reports. The variation in the understanding of the standard among auditors with less experience in preparing reports suggests that support for less experienced auditors is required.
