MSC Cod and Haddock Hits UK Supermarket Shelves

Asda supermarkets announced today that Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified sustainable Atlantic cod caught by Domstein – one of Norway’s oldest fishing companies – are now on sale. This is the first haddock to bear the coveted MSC eco-label.

The fish, supplied by Cumbrian Seafoods, one of the UK’s largest seafood suppliers will be sold as MSC cod loins and MSC haddock loins under the Perfect Catch brand.

The blue MSC logo, displayed on the packs, provides an assurance to customers that the fish were caught in a sustainable way that safeguards seafood supplies for future generations.

Chris Brown, Asda’s Head of Ethical & Sustainable Sourcing added “As our customers expect us to do everything we can to protect wild fish stocks, we chose to work with Cumbrian Seafoods on the development of this initiative. Cod & haddock are still some of the most popular species in the UK and this launch gives our customers the confidence that they are buying fish from sustainable sources.”

Huw Thomas, Head of Ethical & Sustainable Sourcing at Cumbrian Seafoods, said: “Our goal is to lead the market in terms of responsible and ethical sourcing of seafood and we have worked very closely with our suppliers, Domstein AS of Norway, to launch these products. They reflect our own and Asda’s commitment to supplying seafood from certified sustainable and responsible sources.”

MSC CEO, Rupert Howes adds: “For too long, people have been scared of buying cod because of dire warnings of declining stocks. The certification of these first Atlantic cod and haddock fisheries marks a defining moment in certified sustainable supplies of popular species. The pioneering companies that make up Domstein Longline Partners led the way for European cod and haddock certification in Norway. Domstein have a long, proud history as a fishing company and I am honoured that they – and the other Norwegian cod and haddock fisheries that subsequently entered assessment – have sought to demonstrate their sustainability to their customers through the MSC certification programme and eco-label. I am delighted that ASDA has brought this first MSC certified Atlantic and arctic cod to the UK market and I am sure this is the just start of a great success for fish from the DLP fisheries.”