Posted on January, 26 2010

Seafood is a growing market in the UK, and in the next decade the nation’s appetite for fish and shellfish is unlikely to diminish. But whilst an increasing number of people are aware of the health benefits of seafood, there are still concerns that UK consumers are failing to make the right choices when it comes to the sustainability of their seafood. M&S, one of the UK’s leading retailers is now helping to solve that problem by joining forces with the conservation organisation, WWF-UK to ensure its entire range of seafood products come from sustainable sources.

M&S is the first UK company to sign up to WWF’s Seafood Charter and in doing so are entering a joint commitment with WWF to protect our oceans and work towards sustainable fisheries management and sustainable farmed fish production. Over the next few years WWF will help M&S evaluate the sustainability of its wild and farmed fish products and give guidance to the retailer on identifying and developing more sustainable sources.

Paul Willgoss, Head of Technology, at M&S said:

“Sustainable fishing is at the heart of our food business, and we want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to be able to enjoy fish that is both tasty and sustainable.”

“We’ve had a sustainable fishing policy for over a decade, but now we’re going even further by being the UK’s first company to sign WWF’s Seafood Charter. As part of Plan A (our £200m ‘eco-plan’, we are working with WWF to ensure that by 2012, all of our wild fish are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified or from another equivalent standard, where MSC is not available. To help ensure there’s plenty more fish in our seas, we urge other retailers to follow our lead.” Paul adds.

WWF has developed the Seafood Charter to encourage and promote a favourable market for sustainably caught and farmed seafood. The problems surrounding the management of Europe’s depleted fish stocks have been well documented, but positive steps are being taken around Europe to tackle the problem of dwindling fish stocks. In Scotland, the pioneering Conservation Credit Scheme where fishermen are rewarded for sustainable fishing is yielding signs of improvement in some fish stocks and some fisheries are now in the MSC-certification process. WWF considers this model could be replicated by more fisheries across Europe. The conservation organisation, together with M&S is intent on tackling issues such as overfishing, bycatch and discards, and is working with fisheries to find solutions to improve their fishing practices.

Sally Bailey, Marine Programme Manager at WWF-UK said:

“We are delighted to be working with one of the UK’s best known retailers to protect our fish stocks and safeguard the health of our oceans. The Seafood Charter may be directly targeted at retailers and processors, but it has implications for the thousands of fishermen in the UK and other parts of the world that depend on a healthy supply of fish to support their income, and ultimately the millions of people who buy, cook, and eat fish. Fish and shellfish are a renewable resource, if managed properly, and it’s vital we take action now to prevent any further decline in their stock levels. By supporting the efforts of those who do fish sustainably, retailers and consumers can ensure we have plenty more fish in the sea to enjoy.”

The acclaimed chef Tom Aikens, author of Fish, has also given his support to WWF’s Seafood Charter and created delicious recipes using M&S sustainable fish range, including beetroot marinated Alaskan salmon and battered South African hake with chips. He adds:

"Overfishing is one of the biggest threats facing our oceans, but the solution to the problem lies in our own hands. As a chef I am always looking for good quality and sustainable fish and am keen to support our fishing communities. By teaming up with WWF to ensure all their seafood is from sustainable sources, M&S is making it easier for consumers to make the right choices, and encouraging a sustainable fishing industry."


Editor's notes

The way we live is leading to environmental threats such as climate change, species extinction, deforestation, water shortages and the collapse of fisheries. WWF’s One Planet Future Campaign is working to help people live a good quality of life within the earth’s capacity. For more information visit www.wwf.org.uk/oneplanet

For more information on M&S and its Plan A commitments visit: http://plana.marksandspencer.com/


In 2008, consumers in Great Britain bought over 385,000 tonnes of fresh, frozen and canned seafood at retail outlets (worth over £2.73 billion), representing a value increase of 4%, according to Seafish.

For further information, please contact:

Debbie Chapman,
Senior Press Officer, WWF-UK, tel: 01483 412397, email: dchapman@wwf.org.uk

Vivienne Jawitt,
Senior Food Press Officer, M&S, tel: 020 8718 4904, email: vivienne.jawett@marks-and-spencer.com