Eroski, first Spanish retailer introducing MSC labelled products in fresh fish counters

15 February 2012

•   Eroski offers MSC-certified Skrei cod and hake

•    The blue MSC ecolabel shows the product is certified sustainable

•    According to survey carried out by Eroski Consumer, almost 50% of consumers support sustainable sourcing of products

Eroski has become the first Spanish retailer to carry fresh fish certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. The MSC ecolabel certifies that fish have been caught in a sustainable manner and assures traceability from fishery to fork. 

Eroski offers customers fresh Skrei cod and three lines of packaged hake (breaded fillets, hamburgers and fish fingers), all top-quality fish certified against the MSC standard. The hake is from the certified South African fishery,  while Skrei cod is a migratory species which travels each year from the Barents Sea, to the north of Norway, to spawning areas off the Lofoten islands, in the arctic circle. After its voyage, Skrei is fished at the best possible moment, when its flesh is lean and firm. The Skrei cod fishery obtained MSC sustainable fishing certification in 2011. 

The Skrei season runs from January to April and guarantees maximum freshness, as the time from sea to packaging -in the fjords, by the coast - is very short.

Survey reveals Spanish consumers interested in sustainable seafood sourcing

Eroski Consumer has carried out a survey of over 3100 of its readers on fish-eating habits in Spain. The survey reveals interesting information with regard to sustainable fishing. Almost all respondents stated that they preferred fish caught using environmentally-friendly methods, although only 43 per cent could mention any specific practice or initiative. This shows that consumers would value more information about sustainable fishing, which provides an opportunity for commercial, government and not-for-profit organisations to help raise awareness and understanding.

The survey concludes that consumers balance environmental concerns with cost considerations, as only half of consumers state that they would be willing to pay a little more for sustainable fish; the others would only prefer it at the same price. 

“The conclusion we can take from this study is that there is a clear need to support and publicise sustainable fishing initiatives, because consumers value them even when they don’t know all the details”, Alejandro Martínez Berriochoa, Director of Eroski Consumer.

The guarantee offered by a sustainable fishing certification is highly valued by consumers: almost 50 per cent of respondents maintain that they would trust an initiative of this type. 

MSC sustainable fishing certification assesses not just the fishery, but also the companies involved in all stages of the process, guaranteeing traceability and good practice all along the chain of custody.  The factors taken into account by MSC to grant fisheries the blue ecolabel include the status of the stock (health, number of fish, sustainability), impact on the environment (such as accidental fishing of other species, birds killed during fishing, impact on the sea bed) and the effective management of fishing operations. 

MSC is supported by WWF, the world’s largest nature conservation organisation, as well as many other conservation and industry partners, as the world’s most rigorous, independent certification system.

Moreover, since January 2012, MSC has also had the support of Fundación Biodiversidad for its activities in Spain, including working with fisheries and companies towards inclusion on the MSC program, information seminars, and awareness-raising and promotional activities in establishments carrying MSC-labelled products.

A pioneer example of origin and environmental co-branding

    

Each piece of Skrei cod is identified with a tag which shows the origin label of Norge (Norwegian Seafood Export Council) on one side and the environmental MSC label on the other side below the name of the suppliers (Leroy and Norway Seafoods).

Fresh Skrei loins will be also available on trays.

The co-branding MSC-Norge on Skrei is a great example of how a sustainable seafood label and a label of origin can collaborate to better inform consumers." Nicolas Guichoux, MSC European Director.

"Eroski's launch of MSC labelled South African hake and Norwegian cod is another signal that confirms the new interest in sustainable seafood and MSC in Spain. The co-branding MSC-Norge on Skrei is a great example of how a sustainable seafood label and a label of origin can collaborate to better inform consumers." said Nicolas Guichoux, MSC European Director.

Eroski commitment to sustainable fishing

Eroski first took part in the WWF Sustainable Fishing Initiative to obtain the MSC mark in 2010, with a view to ensuring that its fish and seafood sources were sustainable and environmentally friendly. The aim of the initiative is to ensure the long-term survival of fish species that are important to the core business of many companies, both directly and indirectly, and, above, all, to preserve marine life and biodiversity. 

Eroski has also worked together with WWF España to promote awareness among its consumers, encouraging them to buy socially-responsible products. In this line, the chain has set up campaigns to promote the use of reusable bags (Eroski was the first chain to offer these bags in Spain) and to eliminate plastic bags, to help to preserve and protect the natural environment. 

These projects are part of the RSC activities developed by Eroski in environmental matters. Eroski is deeply committed to the environment and develops a range of initiatives to minimise its activity on its surroundings. Reduction of waste in shops, minimisation of pollutants during transport, environmental management of suppliers’ production processes, recycling, the move towards ecological packaging, specific employee training and consumer awareness campaigns are just some of the many environmental activities put in place by Eroski. 

About Eroski

Eroski has a network of over 2200 establishments in Spain, consisting of Eroski hypermarkets, Eroski Centre supermarkets, Caprabo supermarkets, Eroski City and Aliprox supermarket franchises, Eroski Viajes travel offices, filling stations, Forum Sport sports shops, IF perfumeries, Abac leisure and culture shops and 22 logistics platforms. The chain also has 4 IF perfumeries in Andorra. 

For 42 years now, 10% of Eroski profits have gone towards social initiatives. Fundación Eroski channels much of these funds, which are returned to society and destined mainly to three types of community needs: consumer information and awareness, protection of the environment, and solidarity. 

WWF España

WWF España is the Spanish branch of one of the world’s largest and most effective independent organisations dedicated to the preservation of nature. WWF was established in 1961, its Spanish arm being set up in 1968. At present, WWF España operates in over 100 countries, with the support of more than 5 million people worldwide. Its mission is to stop environmental degradation around the world and to build a better future, where humans can live in harmony with nature, preserving biological diversity, ensuring the sustainable use of renewable natural resources, and promoting the reduction of pollution and unbridled consumption.            

Eroski Consumer survey:

Internet survey (www.consumer.es)

3125 consumers resident throughout Spain polled.

Date: February 2012.

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