Eroski becomes Spain first retail distributor to certify its chain of custody for fresh fish from sustainable fisheries
- Eroski expects sales of fish certified with the blue MSC ecolabel to reach 2 million kg in 2020
- The cooperative’s Sustainable Fishing Policy supports best performance fisheries, offering consumers new, healthy, sustainable food options
Elorrio, 9 March 2017. Eroski has become Spain’s first retail distribution chain to successfully pass the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) audit to certify its chain of custody of fresh fish from sustainable fisheries. By obtaining this certification, the cooperative takes an important step forward in the implementation of its Sustainable Fisheries Policy, a commitment to sell fresh fish only from environmentally-friendly fisheries that safeguard the marine environment.
“Eroski supports a more sustainable food model and we are taking the lead by offering consumers healthier and more responsible options”, explains Alejandro Martínez Berriochoa, Director for Health and Sustainability. “When our customers see this certification, they know know that fresh fish sold with the blue MSC eco-label comes from sustainable fisheries and has guaranteed traceability”.
Eroski certification was implemented progressively and now, in 2017, the chain of custody covers 348 fresh fish counters, 6 logistics platforms and training for 2,016 employees. By 2020, Eroski aims to extend the certification to its 700 fish counters.
Throughout 2017, Eroski will begin to sell cod, Cantabrian anchovy and albacore tuna with the blue MSC sustainability label, progressively introducing new species. The cooperative expects sales of fish with the MSC label to reach 2 million kg in 2020.
To reach these goals, Eroski will work together with the Marine Stewardship Council to provide training to fish counter teams, joining forces to expand consumer awareness of the need to protect and safeguard marine resources through the sustainable consumption of seafood products.
“The MSC certification awarded to Eroski for its fresh fish chain of custody proves that their commitment to sustainable fishing is genuine and robust. Eroski is taking a leading step in the certification of fresh counters giving great support to producers who implement sustainable methods”, says Laura Rodríguez Zugasti, MSC Spain and Portugal Program Director.
Eroski, committed to Sustainable Fishing Policy
Eroski implements a Sustainable Fishing Policy, which defines the principles followed by its fish product business. These principles are 11: sustainability of the commercial offer, no sale of products from illegal fisheries, respect for minimum sizes, support for sustainable, certified fishing methods, support for local suppliers, reducing the environmental impact of commercial fish distribution, labelling and consumer transparency, support for interest groups, consumer information and training, and a system of governance for the regular monitoring and adjustment of objectives and resources.
In 2010 Eroski joined WWF in their Sustainable Fishing Initiative, to ensure that its sources of seafood products are sustainable and environmentally-friendly, making it one of the first distribution chains to carry products bearing the blue MSC eco-label.
About the Marine Stewardship Council
The MSC is an international non-profit organization set up to help to transform the seafood market and make it more sustainable. MSC operates the only eco-labelling programme for wild fish catches consistent with the ISEAL Code of Good Practice on Setting Social and Environmental Standards. The guidelines are based on the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
About EROSKI
EROSKI is Spain’s leading cooperative distribution group, and is a market reference in Galicia, the Basque Country, Navarre, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. It has a network of 1,877 establishments, including supermarkets, super stores, cash & carry, opticians, travel agents, beauty stores and sports shops. It has more than 7 million customer members and 33,870 cooperative members and workers.