Now in its 8th year, the MSC UK Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performance in sustainable fishing and seafood across the entire UK business spectrum. Despite the unprecedented challenges of the past year, there has been great progress in a number of areas.

The 2021 MSC UK Award Winners

MSC UK Fish Counter of the Year

Waitrose & Partners

MSC UK Fisherman of the Year (*New Category*)

Tom Russell, Poole Harbour clam and cockle fishery 

MSC UK Foodservice Champion of the Year

Anstruther Fish Bar 

MSC UK Foodservice Wholesaler of the Year

Brakes and M&J 

MSC UK Fresh Fish Foodservice Supplier of the Year

Direct Seafoods

MSC UK Frozen Brand of the Year

Birds Eye

MSC UK Marketing Champion of the Year

Sainsbury's

MSC UK Mid-size Store Retailer of the Year

Lidl

MSC UK Newcomer of the Year

Ella's Kitchen

MSC UK Ocean Hero

Cornish Hake 

MSC UK Pet Food Brand of the Year (*New Category*)

Woofs

MSC UK Product of the Year (*New Category*)

Waitrose No. 1 Yellowfin Tuna 

MSC UK Retail Supplier of the Year

New England Seafood International 

MSC UK Social Media Hero of the Year (*New Category*)

Co-op 

MSC UK Supermarket of the Year

Tesco

*Guest Award Category*

ASC UK Retailer of the Year 

Lidl

Catch up on the event at the National Marine Aquarium below

A snapshot of our 2021 Awards

Meet our expert judging panel

Mitch Tonks

Restaurateur, Food Writer, MSC UK Ambassador

CJ Jackson

CEO, Billingsgate Seafood School and TV personality

Marcus Coleman

CEO, Seafish

Dr Eleanor Adamson

Fisheries Programme Manager, Fishmongers Hall

MSC UK 2021 Award categories explained

This year we launched several brand new award categories to recognise the range of contributions that the seafood sector has made in championing sustainability.

MSC UK Fish Counter of the 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.

MSC UK Fisherman of the Year (*New Category*)

Peer-nominated and scored by our expert judging panel. Awarded to a fisherman who has gone above and beyond in championing the importance of sustainability in/for the catching sector.

MSC UK Foodservice Champion of the Year

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.

MSC UK Foodservice Wholesaler of the Year

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.

MSC UK Fresh Fish Foodservice Supplier of the Year

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.

MSC UK Frozen Brand of the Year

Judged on progress made and totals of the number and volume of MSC labelled products on sale over the past financial year.

MSC UK Marketing Champion of the 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. 

MSC UK Mid-size Store Retailer of the Year

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.

MSC UK Newcomer of the Year

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.

MSC UK Ocean Hero

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.

MSC UK Pet Food Brand of the Year (*New Category*)

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.

MSC UK Product of the Year (*New Category*)

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.

MSC UK Retail Supplier of the Year

Judged by the MSC based on nominations from UK retailers.

MSC UK Social Media Hero of the Year (*New Category*)

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. 

MSC UK Supermarket of the Year

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.

*Guest Award Category*

This year we were pleased to have welcomed our partners the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) who joined us for our Awards, to recognise the progress made by the farmed seafood sector over the past year in the UK. ASC will be presenting their guest award:

ASC UK Retailer of the Year