A branch of The Co-operative -- the grocer that topped the MCS fish sustainability survey. (Photo: The Co-operative)

Green org releases supermarket seafood policy report

UNITED KINGDOM
Friday, November 27, 2009, 01:40 (GMT + 9)

Grocers should offer a wider variety of sustainably sourced fish and seafood to help stop overfishing, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) state in a report released on Wednesday.

MCS also recommended that supermarket chains stop selling North Sea cod, plaice from the western Channel, swordfish and ling in own-brand products. Acceptable species for them to sell include gurnard, pollock and mussels; retailers were also urged to provide more detailed labelling to customers.

Eight chains have made progress on their seafood sustainability policies since the last survey in 2007, but seven of the 15 major supermarkets failed to respond. The survey rated the stores’ sourcing and labelling, among other measures.

The Co-operative came out at the top for having eliminated all the MCS's Fish to Avoid from own-brand products and for having the largest percentage of sales from the Fish to Eat list in the society's Good Fish Guide. Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose were also praised for their clear sustainability policies.

The society collaborated with retailers on sustainable sourcing and encouraged them to increase their supply of seafood from the Fish to Eat list and reduce that of the Fish to Avoid list as well as improve labelling.

"In European waters, nearly nine-tenths of fish stocks are overfished. Supermarkets supply 80 per cent of the seafood sold in the UK,” said MCS fisheries officer Sam Wilding, The Herald reports.

Aldi, Booths, Budgens, Farmoods, Lidl, Netto and Spar failed to respond.

"MCS was very disappointed that seven retailers did not respond and finds their reluctance to take part difficult to understand given that the survey celebrates the progress made by supermarkets in supplying sustainable seafood," Wilding commented.

The society said it would work with the retailers who didn’t respond because it believes the collaboration of all grocery chains is important to end overfishing.

"We already sell a range of fish from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-approved sustainable fisheries and are looking at sourcing fresh and frozen fish from other sustainable sources,” said a spokesman for Aldi, which did not respond to the survey. “We'll be publishing our policies in 2010 to clearly demonstrate our continued progress as a responsible grocery retailer."

The Scottish Government has recently launched a campaign encouraging a greater consumption of sustainably sourced seafood.

Related articles:

- Global caterer adheres to sustainable fish recommendations
- Survey ranks green standards of UK supermarkets

By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com