Some of the big retailers have made strides on selling sustainable seafood, others lag behind

MCS Supermarket Seafood Survey Results Revealed

The Marine Conservation Society supermarket survey is the benchmark for seafood sustainability for supermarkets in the United Kingdom.

Consumers put their faith in supermarkets to source sustainable seafood, and the MSC survey is putting that trust to the test.

For the 2011 Marine Conservation Society Supermarket Seafood Survey, the MCS sent supermarkets a questionnaire to assess retailers' performance across four disciplines: seafood policy, seafood sales, labeling and consumer awareness and sustainability issues.

Their overall score was awarded as a percentage of their category scores. The results have revealed that some retailers are moving in the right direction towards sustainable sourcing, whilst others have made considerably less effort.

Marks & Spencer and the Co-operative come out on top with a "Gold" medal standard, with Sainsbury’s and Waitrose picking up "Silver"

None of the other major supermarkets reached a level that merited an award, and some refused to take part in the research at all.

The Co-operative, with a score of 84 percent, has been a strong contender for a number of years now and this year has earned the MCS Gold award for sustainable seafood. Notable successes are good labelling, zero fish to avoid and strong overall policy and sustainability initiatives.

The Co-operative's own brand fish range contains only fish from responsible sources; this includes frozen, chilled, canned and ready meals (Photo: The Co-operative)

Marks & Spencer, also with a score of 84 percent, was a very strong competitor this year coming joint first with the Coop. They have worked hard in recent years and this shows in the achievement of the MCS gold standard. Marks & Spencer have the most comprehensive seafood policy of all the retailers as it covers all seafood sold in store, both the farmed and wild caught aspects of this are strong. 

According to the MCS, most impressive is the pro active work that Marks & Spencer are doing in driving sustainability forward in the seafood industry through research, projects and initiatives in fish farms and wild fisheries at sea (Photo: Marks & Spencer)

About the Marine Conservation Society - MCS

The  Marine Conservation Society, MCS, is the voice for everyone who loves the sea. The MCS work to secure a future for our living seas, and to save our threatened sea life before it is lost forever.

MCS works to reduce the overfishing which is devastating the life in our seas, and promotes sustainable seafood alternatives.

The MCS work ensures that the sea’s rich wildlife can be restored, fish stocks grow more plentiful, and our beaches and seawater become cleaner.

The MCS depends entirely on the generosity and enthusiasm of its supporters to continue to care for our seas, shores and wildlife (Photo: MCS)

Source: Marine Conservation Society

Margaret E.L. Stacey
Editor Companies and Products
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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