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After the success that the '7 steps towards better fish' of the Dutch Retail Association (CBL), has had for the increase in sustainable, MSC (or equivalent) certified wild caught fish, in the Dutch supermarkets, it is now the turn of the farmed fish. The focus will be on sustainable aquaculture that must meet the standards of the aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) or equivalent.
The CBL is pleased with the new standard for sustainable aquaculture and hopes that soon enough a substantial range of ASC certified farmed fish is available. Farmed fish species such as salmon, pangasius and tilapia and shrimp are popular with consumers and often purchased in the supermarket. If the sustainable variant of this species will be available in the supermarket soon, this will be a big step in the further preservation of the fish assortment. The aim is that in 2016 all farmed fish in the supermarket meets the ASC standard or equivalent.
Previously, the supermarkets agreed to offer only sustainable seafood (fresh and frozen fish). Approximately 85% of wild caught fish is now MSC certified (or equivalent). Not all species are sufficiently MSC certified available. A number of fisheries is currently working on obtaining the MSC-certificate.
"It is a compliment that seafood suppliers and the fishing industry have created a large effort towards MSC certification in relatively short term of three years. We now ask the global aquaculture sector to get started with the same ambitious speed, " said Marc Jansen, director of consumer affairs and quality of CBL.
Supermarkets ask to agree upon one logo for sustainable fish, regardless of whether this fish comes from fishing or farming. This makes it clearer for consumers, who often make no distinction between wild and farmed fish. Supermarkets want to prevent consumers to get lost in the forest of labels. The CBL calls on the organizations behind MSC and ASC to take the consumer perspective as a starting point.
Fish in the supermarket
The total turnover in fish, crustaceans and shellfish in the supermarket amounted to € 526 million in 2010. The supermarket is the main place of purchase for fish and is good for three quarters of the total expenditure on fish, crustaceans and shellfish and 85% of the volume.
The supermarket sales (€ 526 million) is to distribute as follows:
-Fresh: € 321 million. = 59.9% of the total
-Frozen: € 148 million. = 27.6% of the total
-Preserves: € 67 million. = 12.5% of the total
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