Tesco fish display

Tesco has snapped up the Marine Stewardship Council’s UK Sustainable Fish Counter of the Year award.

The supermarket won the award for offering 22 choices of MSC-certified sustainable seafood on its counters. It follows a pledge by Tesco to significantly increase the amount of MSC-certified fish it sold last year.

“Receiving the MSC award for our fish counters is great recognition for Tesco’s work in sourcing sustainable fish,” said Tesco fishmonger Emma McKeating. “We are committed to playing our part to protect the world’s oceans and fish stocks, while ensuring customers can enjoy great quality fish at affordable prices.”

Other winners included Sainsbury’s, which was named Supermarket of the Year for the fourth year in a row for having “the biggest overall choice, volume and value sales of MSC-certified products”.

Lidl was awarded UK mid-size store retailer of the year and UK marketing campaign of the year for its MSC Scottish mussels TV ad. Birds Eye picked up frozen brand of the year, while John West received the award for canned seafood brand of the year for its 32 MSC-certified products.

“Tesco were best newcomer in 2016, so to win the Fish Counter Award this year shows an enormous amount of progress in just 12 months,” said MSC North East Atlantic programme director Toby Middleton.

“Retailers, restaurants and brands are upping their game when it comes to sustainable seafood. Much of this is thanks to consumers. Whether popping to the chippie for supper, picking up a tuna sandwich or enjoying a seafood platter in a top restaurant, shoppers and diners expect a sustainable choice. It’s the bare minimum.”