MSC UK Awards 2023
We will host the awards at the historic Fishmongers' Hall to mark the occasion and will once again be joined by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), who will have three guest awards this year.

The Awards in numbers
10
Years of the MSC UK Awards
117
MSC Awards given out
17
Award categories up for grabs in 2023
MSC UK Awards Partners


Monty Halls
Monty is best known for his three hugely popular BBC series ‘Great Escapes’, where he lived on the west coasts of Scotland and Ireland with his dog Reuben. Monty went on to present the multi-award winning BBC NHU blue chip series Great Barrier Reef, The Fisherman’s Apprentice, again for the BBC as well as series for Discovery and Channel 5.
Monty is also the founder of “Leaderbox”, an accessible, multi-purpose team and leadership training system drawn from the world of the military, business, elite sport, and education. Launched in 2018, it is being adopted widely throughout the UK.
Monty has written twelve books, and is a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers, many of them communicating his enthusiasm for the natural world.
The MSC UK Award 2023 categories
Details on each of the category's criteria and the nomination forms can be found below.Judged on progress made and totals of number and volume of MSC labelled products on sale over the past financial year.
Judged on the number of MSC labelled products, as well as the variety and increase in certified species on sale at UK fresh fish counters.
Peer-nominated and scored by our expert judging panel. Awarded to a fisher who has gone above and beyond in championing the importance of sustainability in/for the catching sector.
Nominated by the MSC Commercial team and scored by our expert judging panel. Awarded to a foodservice business that has gone above and beyond in serving MSC labelled products on their menu.
Judged on the number of MSC labelled products, variety of MSC certified species on sale, and volume of MSC certified fish on sale to UK foodservice companies.
Judged by the MSC through self-nominations by MSC certified fresh fish foodservice suppliers. Awarded to a supplier who has supported their customers in identifying new MSC products and species for restaurant businesses and demonstrated commitment to driving progress of certified sustainable seafood within the UK foodservice sector.
Judged on progress made and totals of the number and volume of MSC labelled products on sale over the past financial year.
Self-nominated and judged by the MSC. Awarded for partner campaigns featuring the MSC which champion the importance of seafood sustainability and generate consumer awareness around the blue MSC ecolabel.
Judged on progress made and totals of the number of MSC labelled products, percentage of total range certified, and volume (tonnes) of MSC fish and seafood on sale at mid-size retail stores.
Awarded to an MSC partner that has newly demonstrated a strong commitment to the MSC programme, helping safeguard seafood supplies and protect our oceans over the past financial year.
Nominated by the MSC Fisheries team and scored by our expert judging panel. This award recognises and rewards leadership in furthering the sustainability of fisheries.
Judged by the MSC and awarded to a brand with an online sales channel that has used its platform to champion sustainable seafood, promote certified products and raise awareness around the blue MSC ecolabel.
Self-nominated and scored by our expert judging panel. Awarded to a pet food brand that has taken innovative steps to introduce new MSC products and promote the importance of certified sustainable fish in pet food.
Self-nominated and scored by our expert judging panel. Awarded for exceptional efforts in new product innovation and commitment to rewarding and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
Judged by the MSC based on nominations from UK retailers.
Judged by the MSC and awarded for innovative and original partner communications across social media, in which the blue MSC ecolabel and seafood sustainability feature prominently, generating awareness around the MSC.
Judged on progress made and totals of: number of MSC labelled products, percentage of total range certified, and volume (tonnes) of MSC fish and seafood on sale at large retail stores.
The ASC UK Retailer Supplier of the Year Award is nominated by a retailer and presented to a UK-based, ASC certified supplier that champions sustainable seafood for the retail industry.
Judged on progress made and totals of: number of ASC labelled products, and volume (tonnes) of ASC fish and seafood on sale at UK retail stores.
Judged on progress made and totals of: number of ASC labelled products, and volume (tonnes) of ASC fish and seafood on sale at retail stores.
Meet the external judging panel

Mitch Tonks
Dr Eleanor Adamson


Dr Lynn Gilmore
Lynn was appointed as Director of Communications and Engagement of Seafish in 2021. Seafish is a non-departmental public body that works with everyone involved in the seafood journey in the UK, from catch to plate, supporting the seafood industry to thrive.
CJ Jackson


Dr Bryce Stewart
Donna Fordyce

Learn more about previous awards
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