The Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia recognise and celebrate organisations and individuals making a significant contribution to ensure we have fish forever. The annual awards is proudly hosted by the Marine Stewardship Council in partnership with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
By supporting responsible aquaculture and sustainable fishing practices, these annual awards showcase leadership and innovation that protect our oceans for future generations.
Submissions for MSC awards will open in January 2026. Please consider 2026 MSC Awards Guidance Document when compiling your submissions.
Eligibility
The awards are open to MSC and ASC partner organisations registered and based in Australia and individuals based in Australia who have made a significant contribution towards the MSC's vision and mission and/or ASC's vision and mission. More eligibility information is listed within each category.Scoring
The MSC and the ASC will assess the applications to fact-check any claims. Where applicable, an independent panel of judges from outside of the MSC and the ASC will then score the applications based on a balanced scorecard.Award categories and criteria
For MSC awards, you may enter more than one category, but you must complete a new application for each entry.
View the ASC award categories and apply at au.asc-aqua.org >
Self-nominated, this award is one of the most prestigious honours in our program — recognising the retailers who set the gold standard for ocean stewardship. This award celebrates supermarkets that not only make sustainable seafood widely accessible but also inspire millions of shoppers to join the movement for healthy oceans.
It acknowledges vision, leadership and commitment at scale, where sourcing choices ripple through entire supply chains and consumer markets. By championing certified sustainable seafood, this supermarket is driving transformation across the industry and advancing the global vision of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
For more information, contact [email protected]
Self-nominated, this award recognises an MSC-labelled product launched in the 2025 calendar year. It celebrates innovation that turns ambition into action, transforming oceans into hope-filled futures, while bringing truly sustainable choices to every table.
In your submission, showcase how your product, brand and/or organisation demonstrates:
1. Impact – lasting contributions to the sustainable seafood movement, including broader environmental considerations such as packaging and carbon footprint.
2. Communications – clear and compelling storytelling that builds consumer awareness of sustainability, while adhering to ACCC guidelines on environmental claims.
3. Leadership – industry innovation and bravery, whether through a first-of-its-kind launch, new technology, or creation of a new category.
4. Collaboration – partnerships and collective action that harness shared purpose to protect the oceans for generations to come.
5. Momentum – a visible commitment to innovation and future-focused leadership in sustainable seafood.
Recognising brands that inspire trust, empower consumers to make ocean-positive choices, and transform markets, this award celebrates leadership that directly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water — safeguarding our oceans for future generations.
In your submission, showcase how your brand demonstrates:
1. Impact – measurable actions that drive lasting change across the seafood supply chain, while empowering consumers to choose sustainably.
2. Communications – creative campaigns that bring the sustainability story to life, raising awareness and building consumer trust, while meeting ACCC guidelines on environmental claims.
3. Leadership – trailblazing initiatives that set new benchmarks for the industry, whether through pioneering programs, breakthrough practices or catalysing new markets.
4. Collaboration – strong partnerships with retailers, fishers, NGOs, communities or other stakeholders that amplify results and advance shared goals.
5. Momentum – a visible commitment to continual improvement, innovation and future-focused leadership in sustainable seafood.
These champions inspire communities, empower consumers, and demonstrate that when we come together, we can protect our shared oceans. By raising awareness and driving change on the ground, they embody the spirit of collaboration and help advance the vision of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Eligible initiatives could include — though are not limited to — community events, festivals, education programs, seafood expos, outreach activities, local media engagement, competitions, or campaigns.
In your submission, showcase how you or the organisation you’re nominating, demonstrates:
1. Impact – tangible outcomes that advance ocean sustainability within your community or networks, leaving a legacy.
2. Communications – clear, engaging and inspiring messages that help people understand the importance of sustainable seafood and the MSC mission.
3. Leadership – courage and initiative in driving grassroots change, showing others what is possible when communities act.
4. Collaboration – partnerships with schools, local groups, businesses or NGOs that amplify results and strengthen collective action.
5. Momentum – evidence of ongoing commitment and continued growth in your community’s involvement in the sustainable seafood movement.
Whether a skipper, deckhand, diver or crew member, these heroes demonstrate courage, commitment and innovation in advancing sustainable fishing — showing that lasting change is built through everyday actions at sea.
Their work embodies the MSC mission and contributes directly to UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Eligibility:
- An individual from an MSC-certified fishery in Australia (e.g., deckhand, diver, skipper, crew member).
- Has played a key role in supporting their fishery’s sustainability operations and commitments.
- Examples include:
- Developing or implementing innovative practices to meet fishery conditions.
- Driving improvements in the pre-certification stage.
- Leading new efforts that advance sustainability outcomes.
- Demonstrating visible passion and commitment to protecting healthy oceans.
In your submission, highlight how the nominee demonstrates:
1. Leadership – taking initiative and inspiring others within the fishery and beyond.
2. Commitment – a clear dedication to MSC principles and sustainable practices.
3. Innovation – introducing or championing new methods that strengthen sustainability outcomes.
4. Impact – tangible results that help secure the long-term health of the ocean and fishery.
These are the pioneers and pathfinders who inspire us all — people whose legacy is felt not just in policies or practices, but in healthier oceans, stronger communities, and the generations they have inspired to follow in their footsteps. Their journey embodies the very heart of the MSC mission and advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Eligibility:
- An individual with a long-standing career in sustainable fishing, seafood, or related fields.
- Demonstrated significant contributions to advancing MSC certification, fisheries improvements, or industry-wide sustainability practices.
- Recognised as an inspirational figure whose influence extends across communities, industries or geographies.
How and when to enter
- Start preparing your applications now
- Submissions will open in January 2026
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
2026 MSC Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia
This guidance document contains suggestions aimed at supporting applications and nominations by all stakeholders for the MSC’s 2026 Sustainable Seafood Awards. Whether you are a nominator, nominee, selection committee member, or administrator, hope this document will serve as a helpful guide.
Entry Preparation
To assist in the planning process, develop a checklist of materials and data required for the submission so that you and your team can internally pull this together as a work in progress.
Research and Selection
Do some research on how other awards are presented for ideas to help your submission be clear, concise, interesting, and compelling.
Brief opening narrative
Including an opening narrative or an executive summary about the organization’s commitment to incentivizing sustainable fishing and seafood is a good way of communicating all the work/key takeaways and activities in a snapshot.
Review Criteria
Review the criteria for the specific category carefully and present your case accordingly in a way that flows well.
Support materials
Where relevant with regards to highlighting commitment to MSC, supplement submissions with supporting evidence and links to sustainability reports, success stories, third party quotes from influential stakeholders, quotes from internal leadership, promotional campaigns, catalogues, brochures, media articles, radio sound bites, etc.
Data and statistics
These are always helpful to substantiate commitments – in addition to providing the numbers. Also include some narrative on what these numbers infer to.
Presentation
Now that you have all your data, statistics, and information, ensure your submission is presented professionally in a way that flows well to the listed criteria, easy to review and an interesting read for the judges.
Proofread
Get someone who was not involved in the submission to proofread it.
Large files
For large files – consider using drop box or we transfer.
What winners will receive
Winners will receive:
- International recognition as Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia winners
- Award trophy, certificate and graphics
- Unique marketing claim
- PR and marketing support to communicate your win
- Speaking engagements and preferential marketing opportunities
Highlights from the 2025 awards event
2024
Coles was named the MSC's Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket, and the ASC awarded ALDI the Best Responsible Seafood Retailer title. MSC’s Best Sustainable Seafood Product - Shelf went to John West Salmon Bowls. I&J was named ASC’s Best Responsible Seafood Brand, and Birds’ Eye Frozen Steam Fresh Fillets took the ASC’s Best Responsible Seafood Product award home.
Read the full list of the 2024 award winners
2023
ALDI, Simplot, Austral Fisheries, Goolwa PipiCo, and Mars Petcare are amongst the winners named in the seventh Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia, run by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
Read the full list of the 2023 award winners
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).
Read the full list of the 2022 award winners
2021
Austral Fisheries Glacier 51 Toothfish has taken out the title of Best Sustainable Seafood Product for the second year running, this time shared with the newly Marine Stewardship Council certified Fremantle Octopus range. Meanwhile, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council certified Australian Clean Seas kingfish scooped the accolade for Best Responsible Seafood Product.
Read the full list of the 2021 award winners
2020
Coles, ALDI, Woolworths, Taronga Zoo and Austral Fisheries were amongst those named in the Marine Stewardship Council’s 2020 Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia.
Read the full list of the 2020 award winners
2019
Coles, John West, IKEA and Taronga Zoo are celebrated in the national awards.
Read the full list of the 2019 award winners
2018
There were no awards this year.
2017
Simplot, Sealord, Taronga Zoo, Coles and Mandurah Crabfest all take home awards.
Sustainable Seafood Week Australia 2025
An annual event which champions action to protect fish and marine life, 7-20 April, forming part of the Super Seafood campaign.