Marks & Spencer has won a global Seafood Champion Award 2006 in recognition of its work in the area of sustainable fishing.
The Award, presented at the International Boston Seafood Show by the Seafood Choices Alliance, recognises companies or individuals that show outstanding leadership in sourcing seafood responsibly. Marks & Spencer was the only UK organisation and retailer to be recognised.
Andrew Mallison, Marine Technologist for Marks & Spencer said:
"We are thrilled to have won this award. We care about the fish we sell and know it's of increasing importance to our customers. Around 80% of UK shoppers1 believe retailers should do more to protect fish stocks for the future.
"Sustainable sourcing lies at the heart of our fish business and we believe there is plenty of work still to be done to meet our customers' expectations in this area. Our focus is to encourage sustainable fishing and help the communities it supports, which is why we go to great lengths to source our fish responsibly."
Earlier this month, Marks & Spencer was also named the UK's number one retailer for sustainable fish in the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) League Table 20062.
Coming top out of 10 supermarkets surveyed, M&S was judged by MCS to have the most sustainable policies for both caught and farmed fish, and was credited with selling 15 species from the MCS Fish to Eat List and for investing in funding or researching sustainable fish stocks.
Marks & Spencer supports initiatives that look at the long-term sustainability of fish such as 'Invest in Fish' in South West England, which involves working together with fishermen, scientists and NGOs to come up with the best economic, social and environmental solutions to fish sourcing. M&S also supports restocking programmes of wild Atlantic salmon in Scotland and lobster in Cornwall.
For further information please contact:
Kate Gentle / Sara Knudsen, Marks & Spencer Food Press Office, tel: 020 8718 4904
Olivia Ross, Marks & Spencer Corporate Press Office, tel: 020 8718 1618
Notes to editors:
Seafood Choices Alliance is a non-profit global trade association for the issue of ocean-friendly seafood; with more than 3,000 members from around the world, the Alliance helps the seafood industry - from fishermen and fish farmers to distributors, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants - to make the seafood marketplace environmentally and economically sustainable. It mobilises and connects the world's leading voices in support of a sustainable supply of seafood choices, highlighting the need for a global solution to threats facing the ocean. The Seafood Champion Awards was developed by the Alliance to recognise individuals and / or companies for outstanding leadership in promoting environmentally responsible seafood.
The 2006 award winners include:
Marks & Spencer, the United Kingdom-based retailer that has become a global corporate leader in promoting sustainable seafood. M&S has worked closely with individual fisheries and has created ties with fish farming communities in order to meet the need for high quality, responsibly caught fish and ensure fish supplies well into the future.
EcoFish, Inc., the New Hampshire-based seafood distributor that sells only sustainable options and can now be found in over 1,000 stores and more than 150 restaurants throughout the U.S. EcoFish is setting a positive example for corporate America through its promotion of high quality, sustainably harvested, healthy and delicious seafood.
Gourmet Magazine, the renowned epicurean magazine that has recently made the editorial decision to broadly educate its readership on the issues of sustainability. By using sustainable fish in the magazine's recipes, Gourmet effectively harnesses its power as an opinion leader and trendsetter to drive demand for more sustainable seafood.
Rick Moonen, the chef and co-owner of RM Seafood at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, who has became an active voice in the culinary world for the protection of over-exploited species. Across the restaurant community, Rick has led by example in his efforts to educate consumers and grow the marketplace for ocean-friendly cuisine.
Jacques Pepin, the world-famous French chef who personally brought the issues surrounding Caspian Sea caviars to the forefront of public concern. As a chef for over fifty-five years, he has personally witnessed the decline in wild seafood available, and feels that it is every person's responsibility to make wise seafood choices.
Unilever, the multi-billion dollar global manufacturer of food, home care and personal care brands that became an early corporate leader on seafood sustainability by creating the Marine Stewardship Council in 1996. Its early investment and visionary leadership have allowed Unilever to rise above its competitors in growing the market for sustainable seafood
