Morrisons has announced a comprehensive change to its sourcing of own-brand canned tuna to ensure that it is caught using the pole and line method or from FAD-free fisheries.
This policy also applies to tuna used as an ingredient in Morrisons products including sandwiches and instore prepared products.
The UK supermarket’s product labels wills be amended to include the catch method and origin of the tuna.
Morrisons says it is making this decision because it knows its customers want the supermarket to help reduce the impact of tuna fishing on the marine environment.
The company has been working towards a change of sourcing policy for some time, working with suppliers and talking to industry bodies and NGO’s.
This change strengthens Morrisons own label credentials on canned fish where its own label canned salmon, mackerel and Albacore tuna are currently sourced from MSC accredited fisheries.
Morrisons fresh tuna is already line caught or sourced from the Cornish coast when in season.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Survey in 2009 found Morrisons to have a ‘strong seafood sourcing policy’ and the ‘largest choice of sustainable seafood (from their ‘Fish to Eat’ list).’ The company says it will continue to work with organisations such as the MCS, MSC and with its suppliers to ensure best practice.
