MSC Press Release Index | Endangered Seas Press Release Index

April 1997

Sainsbury's is First Retailer to Register Support for Marine Stewardship Council


photo of fish

Sainsbury's has become the first food retailer to register its support for the Marine Stewardship Council, which aims to ensure the long-term viability of global fish populations and the health of the marine ecosystems on which they depend.

The supermarket -- which stocks hundreds of fresh, frozen and canned fish products as well as products containing fish -- has signed a statement of support to work with the MSC for sustainable fisheries while promoting responsible, environmentally-appropr iate, socially-beneficial and economically-viable fishing practices.

As an interim step in April 1996, Sainsbury's announced that it would cease sourcing fish oil from European industrial fisheries for its own brand products within a year. All fish oil has now been removed from its own brand margarines, cakes and biscuit s and replaced by vegetable oil.

Mr. Bob Cooper, Sainsbury's Trading Director, said:

"We are delighted to be the first food retailer to register our support. By working with the MSC and our suppliers we will be able to seek new solutions to the serious problem of over fishing and the use of indiscriminate fishing practices. We want t o be able to ensure what all fish sold in Sainsbury's comes from sustainable sources and to enable our customers to enjoy fish as part of a healthy diet."

The first step for the MSC will be to develop a set of principles and criteria for sustainable fishing that will serve as the foundation of its activities.

Carl-Christian Schmidt, MSC project manager, said:

"Sainsbury's support is a signal to consumers that growing concerns about the condition of fish stocks is being taken seriously by the retail trade. It sends a clear message that the industry wants to act responsibly to reverse over fishing and move t owards more sustainable fisheries."