The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) have announced the winners of the sixth Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia.
Coinciding with Sustainable Seafood Week last month, the awards celebrated the organisations and individuals working together to ensure seafood stocks are safeguarded for future generations, with big winners this year including Coles, ALDI, Tassal, Simplot, Tuna Australia and Mars Petcare.
Coles was named Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket in 2022, a title they’ve held since 2017. This achievement acknowledges Coles’ wide range of MSC-labelled products as well as its commitment to communicating the message behind the blue fish tick to its team members and to the wider public.
The Best Sustainable Seafood Product Award was awarded to Bidfood’s new Nordic Select Salmon range. The Best Sustainable Seafood Product Award in the wild catch category was received by ALDI Australia for its Ocean Rise Skinless and Boneless Pink Salmon 130g alongside Mars Petcare Australia for its DINE Fresh & Fine Adult Wet Cat Food in Jelly Tuna & Salmon. Austral Fisheries received a Highly Commended Award for its Karumba Banana Prawns 500g, available exclusively at Woolworths.
Other notable wins included Tassal, which was awarded the ASC Above and Beyond Award for its Responsible Business Roadmap focusing on reducing plastic waste. Tassal wildlife management officer, Maddison Little, was named Best Young Person in Aquaculture for her work in leading the “Stop it at the Source” marine debris campaign, supporting the brand’s Responsible Business Roadmap.
The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Guy Leyland, a respected member of the industry in WA and nationally. Leyland joined the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) in 1986 as their first professional employee. He worked for WAFIC until his retirement earlier this year, and since 2012 led the WA MSC project, supporting Western Australian fisheries engaged in the MSC program.
Ten years on from the announcement of a world leading, state-wide commitment to MSC, WA’s approach to sustainability remains unique, with over 90 per cent of Western Australian fisheries by value now MSC-certified.
“We are delighted to recognise and celebrate the people and organisations that share our vision of ensuring seafood supplies for future generations,” MSC Oceania program director Anne Gabriel said.
“With the impacts of climate change growing, sustainable practices are more important than ever. The people and organisations receiving these awards have all demonstrated their dedication to constantly improving environmental and social outcomes through fishing, helping to ensure a healthy blue food supply for years to come.
“However, there is much work that remains to be done. We need every industry that shares seafood with its customers to step up and choose sustainably – this means food service, airlines, cruises and pet food.”
According to ASC market development manager Australia and New Zealand, Duncan Leadbitter, the awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the best of the best in sustainable seafood production practices.
“Seafood production is dominated by rurally based individuals and companies and makes a valuable contribution to local economies and communities across Australia,” Leadbitter said.
The sustainable seafood industry has seen steady growth in Australia, with the weight of sales increasing more than ten-fold since FY 2010-11. Australian consumers enjoy a wide choice in sustainable seafood, with nearly 300 products available in FY 2020-21.
For more information about the recent awards, click here.