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The MSC wants more of the world’s marine seafood catch to be sustainable by 2020. The Leaders for a Living Ocean are companies with commitments towards that goal.
At the 2017 Our Ocean conference in Malta the MSC announced an ambitious goal: 20% of the world's marine fish and seafood catch should either be certified sustainable or in a sustainability assessment by 2020.To reach this goal the MSC relies on seafood industry partners. 27 companies and organisations at the Malta conference made commitments towards the MSC's 2020 goal. The group included supermarkets, food service companies, seafood brands and fishing associations. All are valued MSC partners, but have pledged increases in the proportion of MSC certified seafood they source, supply and sell. In recognition of their new commitments, we call this group the Leaders for a Living Ocean. Their new targets will also contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 14: Life Below Water. We'll be supporting the Leaders as they transform their business and act as agents of change in their industries.
Since 2017, more companies and organisations have joined the Leaders for a Living Ocean. Below is a full list of who they are along with details of their targets and progress.
Updated 2019
AEON Co. Ltd. is committed to ensuring that by 2020, 20% of all seafood products sold at retailers within the AEON Group will be either MSC or ASC labelled. It now handles 24 MSC certified species and 10 ASC certified species, expanding its share of labelled product sales to 17%.It is also introducing new products made with certified ingredients at a rate of 80 SKUs per year. In 2019 AEON switched six sushi ingredients to MSC or ASC certified seafood. 1,262 stores and 50 processing centres have succeeded in acquiring MSC Chain of Custody certification. As a result, in addition to deep-fried breaded products, tempura, simmered and grilled fish and sashimi, it is rapidly increasing its selection of sustainable washoku (Japanese cuisine).
https://www.aeon.info/en/
"Ahold Delhaize's seafood policy focuses on increasing the percentage of our own brand seafood products that are credibly certified - thereby contributing to MSC’s "20 by 2020" commitment. In 2018, 25% of our total seafood sales came from products certified to the MSC Standard (data excludes Albert Heijn, Albert and Ahold Delhaize USA brands).In 2018, 94% of own brand seafood product sales were certified against an acceptable standard from sustainable sources assessed by a credible third party, or from credible FIPs/AIPs and 100% of own brand seafood product sales have an identified farm/fishery of origin."https://www.aholddelhaize.com/en/home/
"Albert Heijn wants all fish products under its own brand to be sustainably certified as soon as possible. For this objective we aim to achieve MSC certification, but when such certified products are not available for a certain fish species, we also work with our suppliers to enter into an improvement process to reach MSC certification. For our private label/own brand fresh and frozen wild caught fish, Albert Heijn is committed to working with its suppliers and the fishing sector to make all wild catch products available as MSC certified by 2020. Today, Alberth Heijn offers the widest range of MSC-certified products in the Netherlands, including meals and food-to-go."https://www.ah.nl/
"At ALDI North, roughly 54% of the (globally) sourced fish and seafood products have been sustainably certified in 2018. The biggest proportion here was attributable to MSC certification (around 68%), followed by ASC certification (around 24 %), GLOBALG.A.P. certification (around 11%) and products with the EU organic logo (around 2 %)."
https://www.cr-aldinord.com
"2019: ALDI North and ALDI South have already achieved some success to support the 2020 MSC goal. Since 2018, almost all products in our range of fresh/frozen core and seasonal fish and seafood in Germany are MSC certified. In terms of global operations, 88% of ALDI SOUTH’s fish and seafood range has been sourced from responsibly managed fisheries and aquacultures in 2018. 53% of the wild caught fish and seafood products are MSC certified."
https://cr.aldisouthgroup.com/en
"Bolton Alimentari’s goal is to source 20% of its tuna from MSC certified fisheries by 2020 and 100% of its tuna from MSC certified fisheries, or from robust Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) aimed at becoming eligible for MSC certification, by 2024.
The company has made the same commitment for the other fish species it sources and sells, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines.
Bolton Alimentari will work with WWF and its strategic partner Tri Marine toward certification of fisheries to the MSC standards and establish robust and credible fishery improvement projects (FIPs) in all the areas it sources from."
http://www.boltongroupwecare.it/en
Updated 2018
http://www.carrefour.com/
Coles recognises that well-managed and responsible fishing is essential for the future sustainability of our marine ecosystems. Different programs and certifications ensure potential impacts on marine health and the environment are carefully monitored. All Coles Brand seafood products have MSC certification, ASC certification or meet Coles Responsibly Sourced Seafood criteria.
Coles has undertaken independent assessments of hundreds of wild and farmed seafood products to meet robust responsible sourcing requirements, and continues to review its program as fish stocks can fluctuate and the environment in which fisheries operate is complex and ever-changing. In September 2017, Coles was awarded Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket in Australia by the MSC. Coles will continue to work with organisations like the MSC, to give its customers confidence to help make a better choice for our oceans.
https://www.coles.com.au/
Colruyt Group is a Voice of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
"We are committed to sourcing 100% of the wild fish used in our 125 own brand fish products in accordance with these sustainability criteria:
We source from MSC-certified fisheries. If species cannot be MSC certified, we use other independent assessments.
Our frozen and fresh fish comply 100% with our sustainability criteria and at the end of the year 2018, 88,8% of our products were already MSC certified. We’re aiming for 90% by 2020. The rest are assessed by the Belgian scientific institute, ILVO.
Our 13 canned tuna products will be 100% compliant with our criteria by the end of 2020 and we are introducing MSC-certified albacore and skipjack (30,8% of tuna canned products were already certified by the end of 2018).
The 17 other canned own brand products were 41,2% MSC-certified by the end of 2018. We’re aiming for 100% by 2020 (depending on certification status of Moroccan sardines)."
https://www.colruytgroup.com/
"El Corte Inglés adopted a Sustainable and Responsible Purchasing Policy for Seafood in 2011 which aims to contribute to sustainability and protection of marine species, at the same time as ensuring consumer demand can be met and support the continuity of all the fishing related industries. In the framework of this policy, El Corte Inglés' 2020 commitment is to increase gradually the volume and sales of MSC labeled products on offer in their stores by prioritizing MSC certified sustainable seafood in their fresh fish counters in Spain and Portugal (starting with 100% of cod) and by introducing as many as MSC certified labelled own brand products as possible.
Additionally, El Corte Inglés aims to promote and strongly communicate the added value of products from certified sustainable fisheries together with suppliers and also commits to develop a multi-stakeholder dialogue with consumers, industry, scientists and organizations to work towards reaching 100% sustainable fish sources. From April 18 to April 19 El Corte Inglés has increased the number of MSC labelled products under their private brand to 13, a 66% increase in volume from previous year."https://www.elcorteingles.com/
EROSKI is moving forward in their commitment to a more sustainable food model with an over 54% increase in their purchases certified sustainable fish sold under the MSC label including fresh, frozen and can categories. The cooperative has pioneered in Spain the MSC labelled for the sale of fresh fish, a commitment which is essential for the fishing sector which is going for sustainability. Two years ago EROSKI became the first and only retail distribution chain in Spain to pass the audit of the international organization Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for the certification of the chain of custody of fresh fish from sustainable fisheries. The certification of EROSKI’s fish counters has been gradual and at present includes 342 fresh fish counters as well as eight logistics platforms of the EROSKI group from which they deliver fresh fish to their entire store network. In 2018 the cooperative sold 1497 t of fish with the blue MSC sustainable fishing label and the brand “Eroski Natur”, including species such as Skrei codfish, anchovy, albacore, lobster, desalted codfish and surimi. For its part, the MSC labelled frozen bulk fish and seafood of EROSKI include the species hake, codfish, clam and surimi. The volume of these products sold increased substantially last year up to 369 tonnes, which represents around 20% of the total turnover of the category. Additionally, EROSKI sells also canned tuna with MSC label and has the commitment to purchase 40% of the tuna from sustainable sources in 2020, specifically tuna from MSC, FIP (Fishery Improvement Projects), APR (Responsible Fishing Tuna certified AENOR Standard UNE-195006), Pole and Line and FAD FREE Fishing.https://www.eroski.es/
"FishTales connects consumers of fresh and conserved fish to sustainable fisheries, and to the daring fishermen who go out to sea for the best catches. FishTales is fully committed to helping to deliver Sustainable Development Goal 14 by having 100% of its entire wild catch assortment MSC certified by 2020. FishTales are proud to report that we have reached that target, and will strive to continue to do so in the future."
https://www.fish-tales.com/en
"IKEA is determined that the fish and seafood we source do not to contribute to depleting fish stocks. We are committed to only sourcing fish and seafood certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) or Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), with full chain of custody verified to IKEA stores. Around 94% of fish and seafood at IKEA is either MSC or ASC certified."https://www.ikea.com/
"Almost two years after setting objectives for 2020 in terms, we have exceeded our goal of 10% increase in sales of sustainable seafood. We have incorporated a new species from sustainable aquaculture to our portfolio since October 2018: Vannamei shrimp, with more than 200 tons in just 3 months.We are currently working in three main challenges:
https://isidro1952.com/en/
JCCU, the Japan Consumers’ Co-operative Union, adopted its Co-op Action Plan for SDGs at its annual general assembly in June 2018. With regards to seafood, it is committed to sourcing more MSC and ASC certified products, with the aim of increasing the percentage of MSC or ASC labeled products sold under the COOP seafood brand to more than 20%. At the end of March 2018, MSC labeled products alone accounted for 19.1% of the total.
https://jccu.coop/eng/feature/ethical
"As a family business, Jumbo believes it is important to consider the world around it. Our starting point is that products should be produced with attention to the wellbeing of humans, animals and the environment. Improvements should be feasible and affordable: feasible for the producer and affordable for the customer. MSC and ASC certification can ensure this. In 2020, we aim to only sell seafood - fresh and processed - from a 100% traceable chain. Importantly, this assurance is provided by independent parties. Ecolabels such as MSC and ASC provide this assurance. For seafood species for which MSC or ASC certification is not available, we will participate in improvement programmes with the aim of achieving MSC or ASC certification within 5 years. Issues such as a living wage and animal welfare will also be taken into account. In addition, the supermarket chain is further improving its product information system, tracing products back to ship or pond level."https://www.jumbo.com/
Offering sustainable wild-caught and farm-raised seafood is important to Kroger and our customers. By 2020, Kroger will source 100% of wild-caught seafood in its Seafood Department from fisheries that are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified, in MSC full assessment, in comprehensive Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), or certified by other Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI)-recognized programs Kroger will preferentially source MSC-certified wild-caught seafood and, by 2020, Kroger will source at least 90% of its volume from fisheries that are MSC certified. Kroger is also committed to continue sourcing 100% of Our Brands shelf-stable tuna from ISSF-participating companies. By 2020, 100% of farm-raised seafood in our Seafood Department will be certified to sustainable seafood certifications and programs recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI).
www.sustainability.kroger.com
"At Lidl the principles of responsible fish and seafood sourcing are led from ensuring that the fish sold within our own product ranges are sourced from the healthiest stocks possible using the least destructive fishing methods possible, with high regard for both environmental and social standards. We have been working with the MSC for over 10 years on the sustainability of our wild-caught fish and have set ourselves ambitious targets. For instance, in key European markets like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Denmark and Sweden we have achieved 100% MSC certification for all our own brand fresh and frozen fish products which are permanently listed. We will continue to increase the amount of MSC certified products in all our markets until 2020 and beyond."
https://www.lidl.com/
"With rising demand and a finite supply, it is key that we protect an economical and sustainable seafood supply chain. At Mars Petcare, we are committed to sourcing all of our fish products in a responsible and sustainable manner. This is being accomplished by reducing the total volume of fish used, replacing vulnerable fish species with more sustainable alternatives, maximizing the procurement of by-product, and purchasing third-party recommended or certified fish products to reassure stakeholders of the responsibility, sustainability and traceability of Mars' product ingredients. All of these efforts already resulted in 76% of our fish and marine ingredients' volumes being sustainably sourced for our MARS factories in Europe by mid of 2019 and pave the path to reach our target of 100% sustainably sourced fish and marine ingredients globally by 2020."
"Filet-O-Fish is one of our best-loved menu items at McDonald’s, so it’s really important that we work with independent experts like the MSC and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership to identify ways to protect long-term fish supplies and improve the health of marine ecosystems. Globally, 100% of the whitefish for our Filet-O-Fish is sourced from sustainably managed fisheries and we have achieved MSC certification in U.S., Canada, Europe and Brazil.We agree with the MSC that healthy oceans are essential for thriving marine systems, livelihoods and economies. It's why we've made a commitment to source 100% of our wild-caught fish from verified sustainable sources by 2020.We fully support global efforts to restore depleted fish stocks, improve fishery management and conserve marine environments."
https://www.mcdonalds.com/
"METRO aims to improve its sustainable fish and seafood assortment by continuously optimising the environmental and social aspects of fishing and aquaculture. METRO has set a target to have 80% of the sales of its top 12 fish and seafood species certified by 2020 according to MSC and ASC or any certification standard that has been recognised by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI). At the end of the 2018 financial year, the share of revenue from MSC certified products at METRO Germany already accounted for over 56% (over €45M).METRO seeks to expand the sustainability of fish and aquaculture products by active involvement in international initiatives dealing with the protection of oceans, sustainable sourcing and enhancing seafood traceability like the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability.
In June 2017, METRO entered into a voluntary commitment regarding tuna traceability by signing the Tuna 2020 Traceability Declaration, which was launched as part of the UN Ocean Conference in New York. This is a shared cross-sector commitment to ensure full traceability of tuna supply chains, from vessel to point of sale. To raise awareness among its sourcing community, METRO has run workshops on sustainable procurement in several countries in which it is operating. To enhance transparency and avoid fish from illegal activities entering the supply chain, METRO has developed an innovative traceability solution, called PRO TRACE. In Germany, approximately 880 fish products can already be traced back to their (certified) source using the PRO TRACE app."
https://www.metro-cc.com/
Since becoming a founding member of the MSC in 1997, our commitment to continuously increase the amount of MSC certified fish that we source for our iglo, Birds Eye and Findus products has led to quantifiable results. Today more than 90% of the wild captured fish we use is MSC certified and we are by far the largest user of the MSC Ecolabel globally.As Europe’s largest frozen food company, our goal is to help consumers make healthy and nutritious food choices by increasing the consumption of fish across Europe. Our long term relationship with the MSC means that, as we achieve our ambitions, we will naturally increase the volume of MSC certified fish eaten by consumers over the next three years.We are proud to support the principles of UN SDG 14 and to play a role in delivering the MSC’s vision to provide consumers with sustainably sourced fish.
Progress since Oct 2017
Last year we made a commitment to source 100% fish and seafood from sustainable fishing or responsible farming by the end of 2025. We have already made significant progress on that commitment since October 2017 as in 2018 more than 95% of the wild captured fish we used was MSC certified.
In 2018 we increased the number of products carrying the MSC or ASC Ecolabels by approximately 9%: 703 in 2018 vs 643 in 2017
Our sales of fish products increased by 1.9% in 2018 vs 2017, increasing the consumption of fish across Europe and helping consumers to make healthy and nutritious food choices
In November 2018 we co-hosted a webinar focussed on accelerating progress towards SDG14: Life under Water. As a result we are:
https://www.nomadfoods.com/
Updated 2019"Orkla Foods commitment is to sell 100% MSC certified fish/seafood by 2020.All marine resources sourced by Orkla Foods Sverige must be fished in accordance with the following principles:
In 2019, 91% of Orkla Foods Sweden seafood products are MSC certified. Orkla Foods Sweden has not yet reached 100% certified fish as the sprat we are using is not available as certified. We are however working to get the fishery certified. Another difficulty is that all Mackerel fisheries have just been suspended and at this time there is no alternative source."
https://www.orkla.com/about-us/orkla-foods/
"Sainsbury's remains on track to deliver against our commitment to sell fish which is independently certified as sustainable. At the end of 2017, all of our farmed fish was certified against at least one of three globally recognised independent best aquaculture practice standards and 86% of our wild caught fish (by value) was MSC certified (with associated Chain of Custody certification). We continue to work towards 100% certification for our wild caught fish through active engagement in Fisheries Improvement Projects and dialogue with our supply base. We are also an active participant in the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability."
https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/
"A part of our commitment to source 100% of our branded tuna from fisheries that are either MSC certified or engaged in Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) to move them toward MSC certification, we committed to initiate 11 tuna FIPs across a wide range of geographies.To date, in conjunction with other major regional actors, such as fleets, processors, governments and non-governmental organizations, we have successfully launched six large-scale tuna FIPs worldwide.Since the beginning of 2018, more than 90% of branded tuna sold by Thai Union Europe has been sourced from a FIP or an MSC certified fishery. Another two FIPs planned for launch in 2019, will cover approximately another 8% of the tuna volume, meaning about 98% of the Thai Union supplied tuna to European markets will be covered by recognised, comprehensive FIPs. Furthermore, 21% of Thai Union’s branded tuna worldwide is currently sourced from MSC certified fisheries, while two of Thai Union’s international brands (Hawesta in Germany and Genova in North America) have been launched with a fully MSC certified supply.Thai Union will keep engaging with conservation groups and governments, as doing so has proven a powerful tool to help improve seafood sustainability and the overall health of our oceans.In addition to Thai Union’s tuna FIPs, we have also engaged in FIPs targeting species such as mackerel and sardine. Presently, Thai Union is an active partner in a sardine FIP in Morocco."https://www.thaiunion.com/en
Updated 2017
"Tmall Fresh will endeavor to develop a practical sustainable seafood procurement policy and work with MSC towards the goal of sourcing a minimum of 20% of its wild caught seafood sold on Tmall Supermarket and Mr. Fresh from sustainable sources by 2020."https://miao.tmall.com/
"Woolworths Group is committed to the development and support of supply chains that reduce our impact on the planet. Our customers expect us to operate in a responsible manner by sourcing high-risk commodities from independently certified sources.
Woolworths recognises our instrumental role in providing customers with an opportunity to make more informed choices when it comes to the seafood that they buy. By the year 2020, we commit to sourcing all of our fish and seafood from fisheries and farms that are third-party certified (e.g. MSC and ASC) or independently verified as environmentally responsible." https://www.woolworths.com.au/
"The Danish Fishery Producer Organisations (Danish Fishermen Producers Organisation and Danish Pelagic Producer Organisation) represent Danish commercial fishermen and virtually all catches.
All in all our approx. 750 vessels catch around 1 million MT per annum. This makes Denmark one of the larger seafood production nations in Europe, and a top 10 exporter of seafood globally. The Danish ambition for sustainable fisheries and MSC certification is not new, and its original commitment in 2010 has been instrumental in leading the European and the global seafood industry onto a more sustainable footing.
The Danish sector’s latest achievement has been obtaining MSC certification for the brown shrimp fishery in the North Sea. This was only possible due to trilateral cooperation with German and Dutch POs and by implementing a management plan for the fishery by the fishermen themselves.
The Danish POs work with all key Danish stakeholders in driving improvements in and on the water, and this commitment to sustainable fishing and MSC certification comes at a time where some of the world's oceans are under pressure – not the North East Atlantic where almost all stocks are in excellent shape and development (also making MSC certification possible).
The Danish Fisheries sector's drive towards obtaining MSC certification for all its fisheries shows the sector's dedication to a sustainable future for the seas and oceans that surround us."
"As a member of the fishermen’s association the Pelagic-Freezer trawler Association, the P & P Group has taken the lead to certify the fisheries in which it is involved against the MSC criteria. The first fishery to be awarded with the MSC label was the herring fishery in the North Sea, in 2006. Then followed other pelagic and demersal fisheries in the Northeastern part of the Atlantic Ocean.
For the 2017 EU Our Ocean conference in Malta P & P Group voiced the aim to move the following fisheries in which vessels of the P & P Group operate toward MSC certification:
- Fisheries for Greenland halibut east of Greenland
- Fisheries for Greenland halibut west of Greenland
- Tuna fisheries in the Indian and Atlantic Ocean
- Guyana seabob shrimp fishery
We are proud to report that The Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors seabob fishery & Doggerbank Seefischerei GmbH West of Greenland, Greenland halibut fishery have since been recommended for certification by their respective Certification Assessment Bodies Vottunarstofan Tún ehf & Control Union Pesca Ltd. The fishery on Greenland halibut east of Greenland is in full assessment; the fishery on skipjack tuna in the Indian Ocean and yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean will enter the Full Assessment later this year and the fishery on skipjack tuna in the Atlantic Ocean and yellowfin tuna in the Indian Ocean is part of a Fishery Improvement Project. Since our commitment we've also moved (5) the jack mackerel fishery managed under SPRFMO in the South Pacific to full assessment."https://www.pp-group.nl/
The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) consists of 8 small island nations whose waters produce close to 60% of all skipjack tuna catches in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) and who collectively control approximately 30% of the world's tuna supply. The PNA fishery commits to the following by 2020:
https://www.pnatuna.com/
The Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, in partnership with the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) and with support from the State Government, has embarked on a program which will provide the opportunity for all the State’s commercial fisheries to achieve MSC certification.
The program is now in its seventh year of operation. All (47) of WA's commercial fisheries have been pre-assessed to the MSC standard. The program provides the opportunity for fisheries to voluntarily undertake full assessment. So far eight fisheries have been certified (in addition to the Western Rock lobster fishery - the first MSC certified fishery).
https://www.wafic.org.au/
https://dpird.wa.gov.au/
For over 20 years fisheries, scientists, consumers and industry have been part of a collective effort to make sure our oceans are fished sustainably.
The best way to understand the impact of the MSC program is through those involved. Read about the passionate people taking care of our oceans.
Data from the MSC is used by organisations committed to the UN's SDG's, to track progress towards international goals to end overfishing and protect biodiversity.
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