High-end supermarket chain Waitrose, on Thursday, picked up the Best Seafood Retailer Award at the Retail Industry Awards 2011, held at the Park Plaza, London.
Now in its 16th year, the Retail Industry Awards remains the only competition to celebrate the entire UK retail industry – from the smallest independents to the largest supermarket groups.
There were 17 award categories, including the Seafood Retailer of the Year, which was sponsored by Alaska Seafood.
Previously, this award has gone to Sainsbury’s (in 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005 and 2004); and to Morrison’s (in 2009 and 2006).
At the heart of Waitrose’s first seafood retailer award win was its commitment to sustainability. Over the past 10 years of implementing its sustainable procurement policies, Waitrose has reviewed every species sold with regard to stock levels, management and fishing methods.
For a fish to be termed ‘sustainable’ in Waitrose it must meet the following criteria:
• Be a species that is not regarded as threatened or endangered;
• Be caught from a well-managed fishery with scientifically-based quotas;
• Be caught using responsible fishing methods; and
• Be fully traceable from catch to consumer.
Waitrose states that it will not list any species where there is a common consensus that it is endangered or under threat. Fisheries used in Waitrose must be able to demonstrate sustainable management of the stock through effective quotas based on scientific advice and stock assessments. There should be provision for zone closures to allow protection of spawning and nursery grounds.
According to Waitrose’s website, fish not sold on the basis of sustainability and concerns over declining stocks include North Sea Atlantic cod, common skate, wild Atlantic salmon, bluefin tuna, shark and dogfish.
It doesn’t take any flatfish caught from beam trawlers, which it says are inefficient in terms of fuel consumption and potentially damaging to the marine environment. All of its fresh, frozen and added-value plaice, lemon sole and Dover sole are caught using the less destructive Danish seining method.
The retailer also claims to source the largest range of line-caught fish in the UK.
It also sells a wide range of farmed fish from sustainable aquaculture systems, including Atlantic salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, warmwater shrimp, carp, mussels, oysters, halibut, seabass and seabream.
It doesn’t, however, buy any farmed seafood on the open market. It has established working partnerships with farmers, which it says “allows for long-term planning and early adoption of practices that lead to improved quality and sustainability of the farming operation.”
This year the company’s bottom line has been boosted by the sales of so-called “alternative species” to the UK’s current favorites of cod, haddock, salmon, tuna and prawns/shrimp. Sales of Cornish pollack, mackerel, Icelandic whiting and dab have soared largely as a result of the ‘Fish Fight’ campaign.
