Making a splash: winners of the 2022 Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia announced

March 20, 2022

Coles, ALDI, Tassal, Simplot, Tuna Australia and Mars Petcare are amongst the 18 winners named across 13 categories in the sixth Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia, run by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
The honours awarded by the MSC acknowledge the best in wild catch fishing, while the ASC honours recognise the highest standards in aquaculture farming
The annual awards recognise impact, commitment, progress and leadership in sustainable seafood production practices and mark the beginning of Sustainable Seafood Week Australia (21-27 March)

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) have today announced the winners of the sixth Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia. Coinciding with Sustainable Seafood Week (21-27 March 2022), the awards celebrate 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 (awarded by the MSC) in 2022, a title they’ve held since 2017. This outstanding 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 (awarded by the ASC) was awarded to Bidfood’s new Nordic Select Salmon range. The Best Sustainable Seafood Product Award (awarded by the MSC) 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 (awarded by the ASC) 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 (awarded by the MSC) was presented to Guy Leyland, a deeply respected member of the industry in Western Australia and nationally. Guy 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. 10 years on from the announcement of a world leading, state-wide commitment to MSC, Western Australia's approach to sustainability remains unique, with over 90 per cent of Western Australian fisheries by value now MSC-certified.

Commenting on the Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia 2022, Anne Gabriel, MSC Oceania Program Director, noted, “We are delighted to recognise and celebrate the people and organisations that share our vision of ensuring seafood supplies for future generations.

“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.”

Duncan Leadbitter, ASC Market Development Manager Australia and New Zealand, added, “These awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the best of the best when it comes to sustainable seafood production practices in aquaculture. Seafood production is dominated by rurally based individuals and companies and makes a valuable contribution to local economies and communities across Australia.”

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.

What’s on during Sustainable Seafood Week?

The MSC and ASC will be joined by celebrity chefs Courtney Roulston, Nathan Lyons, Guy Turland and Larissa Dominello to celebrate ‘Fish Forever’ by sharing their favourite sustainable seafood recipes and top cooking tips and tricks.

Restaurants around the country will also mark the week with special menu items and take-home meal kits. Mures Tasmania, which took out Best Responsible Retailer (awarded by the ASC) and Sustainable Seafood Community Champion (awarded by the MSC) in the Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia, will be celebrating the week with a special menu and sustainable seafood meal kits available to go.

For teachers and students, there is a brand new Saltwater Schools lesson plan featuring science presenter Laura Wells and Ray Ingrey from the Gujaga Foundation who explore how seafood is traditionally harvested and cared for by Australia’s First Nations people.

The Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia 2022 winners

The 2022 judging panel featured industry leaders from the MSC and ASC as well as Austral Fisheries, Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand, Taronga Zoo, Ocean Watch and more. The panel reviewed entries against the highest standards of sustainable practice to decide the 18 winners.

Best Responsible Trader Award (awarded by the ASC)

KB Seafood

Highly Commended (Best Responsible Trader)

Bidfood

Best Young Person in Aquaculture (awarded by the ASC)

Maddison Little, Wildlife Management Officer, Tassal

ASC Above and Beyond Award (awarded by the ASC)

Tassal

Best Responsible Retailer (awarded by the ASC)

Mures Tasmania

Best Responsible Producer (awarded by the ASC)

Yumbah (Abalone)

Best Responsible Product (awarded by the ASC)

Bidfood - Nordic Select Salmon range

Highly Commended (Best Responsible Product)

KB Seafood - FIsh Goujons

Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket (awarded by the MSC)

Coles Supermarkets Australia

Best Sustainable Seafood Product (awarded by the MSC)

ALDI Australia - Ocean Rise Skinless and Boneless Pink Salmon 130g

Mars Petcare Australia - DINE® Fresh & Fine Adult Wet Cat Food in Jelly Tuna & Salmon

Highly Commended Sustainable Seafood Product (awarded by the MSC)

Austral Fisheries - Karumba Banana Prawns 500g

Sustainable Seafood Community Champion (awarded by the MSC)

Mures Tasmania

Woolworths Group

Leader for a Living Ocean (awarded by the MSC)

Mars Petcare Australia

Simplot Australia

Tuna Australia

Lifetime Achievement (awarded by the MSC)

Guy Leyland

Special Recognition for 10 Years of Ocean Leadership (awarded by the MSC)

Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC)

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)

Three people hold award certificates with the Perth skyline behind them

L-R: Darryl Hockey, CEO of the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC); Dr Dan Gaughan, Chief Fisheries Scientist for the Government of Western Australia; and Heather Brayford, Deputy Director-General, Sustainability and Biosecurity for the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), receiving their Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia 2022 awards

Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia

The Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia recognise organisations and individuals making a significant contribution to ensure we have fish forever. The annual awards are run by the Marine Stewardship Council in partnership with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

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Press release