The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) have announced the winners of the sixth annual Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia.
Coinciding with Sustainable Seafood Week (21-27 March 2022), the awards celebrate the organisations and individuals working together to end overfishing and ensure seafood supplies are safeguarded for future generations. Big winners this year include Coles, Aldi, Tassal, Simplot, Tuna Australia, and Mars Petcare.
Coles was named Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket (awarded by the MSC) in 2022, for the sixth time. This outstanding achievement acknowledges Coles’ wide range of MSC-labelled products as well as its commitment to communicating the message behind the blue fish tick to its team members and to the wider public.
The Best Sustainable Seafood Product Award (awarded by the ASC) went to Bidfood’s new Nordic Select Salmon range. The Best Sustainable Seafood Product Award (awarded by the MSC) in the wild catch category was received by Aldi Australia for its Ocean Rise Skinless and Boneless Pink Salmon 130g alongside Mars Petcare Australia for its Dine Fresh & Fine Adult Wet Cat Food in Jelly Tuna & Salmon. Austral Fisheries received a Highly Commended Award for its Karumba Banana Prawns 500g, available exclusively at Woolworths.
Other notable wins included Tassal, which won the ASC Above and Beyond Award for its Responsible Business Roadmap focusing on reducing plastic waste. Tassal Wildlife Management Officer, Maddison Little, was named Best Young Person in Aquaculture (awarded by the ASC) for her work in leading the “Stop it at the Source” marine debris campaign, supporting the brand’s Responsible Business Roadmap.
The Lifetime Achievement Award (awarded by the MSC) was presented to Guy Leyland, a deeply respected member of the industry in Western Australia and nationally.
Leyland joined the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) in 1986 as its first professional employee and worked there until his retirement earlier this year. He led the WA MSC project over the last decade, supporting WA fisheries engaged with the MSC. This jurisdictional commitment remains unique, with more than 90 per cent of Western Australian fisheries by value now MSC certified.
Commenting on the Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia 2022, Anne Gabriel, MSC Oceania Program Director, said it’s a delight to recognise and celebrate the people and organisations that share a vision of ensuring seafood supplies for future generations.
“With the impacts of climate change growing, sustainable practices are more important than ever. The people and organisations receiving these awards have all demonstrated their dedication to constantly improving environmental and social outcomes through fishing, helping to ensure a healthy blue food supply for years to come.
“However, there is much work that remains to be done. We need every industry that shares seafood with its customers to step up and choose sustainably – this means food service, airlines, cruises, and pet food.”
The sustainable seafood industry has seen steady growth in Australia, with the weight of sales increasing more than tenfold since FY 2010-11. Australian consumers enjoy a wide choice in sustainable seafood, with nearly 300 products available in FY 2020-21.
The Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia 2022 winners
Best Responsible Trader Award (awarded by the ASC): KB Seafood
Highly Commended (Best Responsible Trader): Bidfood
Best Young Person in Aquaculture (awarded by the ASC): Maddison Little, Wildlife Management Officer, Tassal
ASC Above and Beyond Award (awarded by the ASC): Tassal
Best Responsible Retailer (awarded by the ASC): Mures Tasmania
Best Responsible Producer (awarded by the ASC): Yumbah (Abalone)
Best Responsible Product (awarded by the ASC): Bidfood – Nordic Select Salmon range
Highly Commended Responsible Seafood Product (awarded by the ASC): KB Seafood – FIsh Goujons
Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket (awarded by the MSC): Coles Supermarkets Australia
Best Sustainable Seafood Product (awarded by the MSC): ALDI Australia – Ocean Rise Skinless and Boneless Pink Salmon 130g; Mars Petcare Australia – DINE® Fresh & Fine Adult Wet Cat Food in Jelly Tuna & Salmon
Highly Commended Sustainable Seafood Product (awarded by the MSC): Austral Fisheries – Karumba Banana Prawns 500g
Sustainable Seafood Community Champion (awarded by the MSC): Mures Tasmania; Woolworths Group
Leader for a Living Ocean (awarded by the MSC): Mars Petcare Australia; Simplot Australia; Tuna Australia
Lifetime Achievement (awarded by the MSC): Guy Leyland
Special Recognition (awarded by the MSC): Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC); Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)