The Marine Stewardship Council has reached a milestone. The 7,000th MSC eco-labeled product — peeled, frozen shrimp — is now being sold at British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, the retailer unveiled on Monday.
Sainsbury's is the largest retailer of MSC-certified seafood in the United Kingdom, with more than 75 product lines, and more than one-tenth of its seafood products bear the MSC eco-label.
“We would like to congratulate the MSC on reaching 7,000 lines and would encourage other retailers to follow Sainsbury’s lead in sourcing MSC-certified fish,” said Ally Dingwall, Sainsbury’s aquaculture & fisheries manager.
“Consumer interest in MSC-certified fish has rocketed over the past two years, with recent figures showing a 60 percent increase in recognition of the MSC eco-label in the UK. Nearly one in five people now recognize the MSC eco-label,” added MSC UK Manager, Toby Middleton. “Much of that increase in recognition is the result of joint marketing work with leading retailers like Sainsbury’s.”
The MSC is on the verge of achieving another milestone. On Thursday, the Ross Sea Antarctic toothfish fishery became the 99th fishery worldwide to be certified as well-managed and sustainable under the London-based program.
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