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MSC UK Awards 2023

This year we mark the 10th anniversary of the MSC UK Awards, in which we celebrate outstanding achievements and performance in sustainable fishing and seafood across the entire UK business spectrum.

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.

MSC UK Awards 2023

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

MSC UK Awards 2023 partner logos
Monty Halls
Keynote speaker

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.

Download the nomination form.

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.

Download the self-nomination form here.

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. 

Download the self-nomination form here.

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.

Download the self-nomination form here.

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.

Download the self-nomination form here.

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.

We're thrilled that the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) will join us once again this year with three awards, including one new category! 

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

Mitch Tonks

Highly acclaimed and award-winning seafood restaurateur, chef, food writer and supporter of sustainable fishing and the industry, Mitch Tonks is a long-standing MSC UK ambassador.

Dr Eleanor Adamson

Eleanor is Fisheries Programme Manager at The Fishmongers’ Company (Fisheries Charitable Trust). She advises on a range of science, policy and education-related programmes and grants that support marine and freshwater conservation, fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood trading in the UK.
Dr Eleanor Adamson
Dr Lynn Gilmore

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

CJ Jackson has been the CEO of Billingsgate Seafood School since 2005. As a charity, based above the largest inland fish market in the UK, CJ and her team deliver a large range of courses for children and schools, industry training and the general public.
CJ Jackson
Dr Bryce Stewart

Dr Bryce Stewart

Bryce is a marine ecologist and fisheries biologist whose work has ranged from temperate estuaries to tropical coral reefs and the deep-sea. He gained a BSc(Hons) (Zoology) from the University of Melbourne, and a PhD (Marine Biology) from James Cook University.

Donna Fordyce

Donna Fordyce is the Chief Executive of Seafood Scotland, the national trade marketing body for the Scottish seafood industry. Prior to that, she held a number of roles with the organisation, initially as an industry engagement specialist before moving into the leadership role. Donna has a passion for the seafood industry and excellent knowledge of all aspects of the supply chain.
Donna Fordyce

Learn more about previous awards

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