The winners of the annual Sustainable Seafood Awards have been unveiled, with Coles and ALDI going head-to-head for the top awards.
Presented by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), the awards recognise organisations and individuals who “contribute significantly to ensure we have fish forever through their commitment to the ASC and MSC programs”. This year’s awards were handed out at the launch of the Super Seafood campaign on Friday, 15 March.
Among the big winners was Coles, named the MSC’s Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket.
ALDI, on the other hand, was awarded the ASC’s Best Responsible Seafood Retailer as well as Aquaculture Champion. Woolworths was also named the MSC’s Community Champion – National.
Speaking on Coles’ win, the retailer’s General Manager Own Brand, Quality, and Responsible Sourcing Charlotte Rhodes, says Coles is driven to help its customers better understand the potential environmental impacts of the products they purchase.
“The transparency that comes from the MSC blue fish tick label helps customers make more informed and sustainable choices at the checkout,” she says.
“[The] recognition from the MSC acknowledges our commitment to providing MSC-certified responsibly sourced seafood to our customers, as well as our efforts towards achieving a more sustainable and environmentally conscious seafood industry in Australia and abroad.”
ALDI National Sustainability Director Daniel Baker says it’s fantastic to receive recognition from the ASC for the retailer’s responsible fish and seafood sourcing.
“To be awarded the Best Retailer award as well as the Aquaculture Champion award reflects the effort and dedication of our team towards making a good difference throughout our entire supply chain while also providing the highest quality products to our customers,” he says.
“Every customer that walks through ALDI’s doors can be rest assured that by saving money at the checkout on ALDI’s high quality products that they can ultimately also make a good difference for both people and the planet simultaneously.”
The winners are:
Awarded by the ASC:
- Best Responsible Seafood Retailer: ALDI
- Best Responsible Seafood Product: Bird’s Eye Steam Fresh Fillets
- Best Responsible New Seafood Product: Topsail Barramundi Burger
- ASC Aquaculture Champion 2024: ALDI
- Best Responsible Seafood Producer: Yumbah Aquaculture
- Young Person in Aquaculture: Blake Newell
- ASC Above & Beyond: Tassal
- Best responsible Seafood Brand: I & J
- Best responsible Seafood Trader: KB Seafood Company
- Best responsible New Seafood Product – Highly Commended: By George Butterflied Fish by KB Seafood Company
- ASC Above & Beyond – Highly Commended: Yumbah Aquaculture
Awarded by the MSC:
- Community Champion – National: Woolworths Group
- Community Champion – Local: Harley & John’s Seafood
- Lifetime Achievement: Heather Brayford, DPIRD
- Sustainable Fishing Hero: Uncle Derek Walker, South Australian Pipi / Kuti Fishery
- Sustainable Fishing Hero: Glenn Wheeler, Fremantle Octopus
- Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket: Coles Supermarkets
- Best Sustainable Seafood Business: Australian Ocean King Prawn Company
- Best Sustainable Seafood Product – Foodservice: Seafrost Surimi, Bidfood
- Best Sustainable Seafood Product – Shelf: John West Salmon Bowls – Simplot Food Group APAC Pty Ltd
- Best Sustainable Seafood Product – Frozen: Better Choice Fisheries Australian Deepwater Raw Royal Red Prawn Meat
- Best Sustainable Seafood Product – Highly Commended: Ocean Rise Smoked Sardine Sprats – ALDI Supermarkets
- Best Sustainable Seafood Product – Highly Commended: Fremantle Octopus Raw Octopus Tentacles.
