UK retailer Asda has pledged to eradicate bycatch from the fisheries that supply its seafood.
The supermarket has sponsored the report Minimizing and managing the impacts of fisheries on bycatch of protected, endangered and threatened species which identifies best practices in reducing the impacts of commercial fishing on non-target species, while describing several case studies from around the world where successful action has been taken to tackle the problem.
Along with partner, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, Asda will be taking the following action to help solve the issue of bycatch:
- Reviewing scientific data for all fisheries that supply Asda to assess the extent of the problem
- Prioritising action in those fisheries where the problems are most severe
- Supporting fisheries that are already taking action to reduce bycatch impacts on protected, endangered or threatened species
- Promoting fishery improvement projects in those fisheries where bycatch is a significant problem
Commenting on the report and the Asda commitment, Dr Chris Brown, director of sustainable business for Asda, said, “Sustainability is not just about the species our customers want to eat; it’s also about the other animals in the marine ecosystem that can be affected by fishing activity. Asda would never sell a fish species that was protected, endangered or threatened but the reality is that some fisheries accidentally catch animals that should be left alone - a problem known as bycatch. Asda wants to see the fisheries that it sources from eliminating bycatch as soon as possible and will actively support its suppliers in tackling this issue.”
