South African retailer, Woolworths, has pledged to source its farmed seafood from sustainable and responsible operations by 2020.
Woolworths has joined a growing number of businesses making formal commitments to support responsible aquaculture practices. The premium food and clothing retailer introduced its sustainable seafood policy in 2008 and was the first retailer to sign the WWF-SASSI Retail Charter. It then went on to introduce its Fishing for the Future programme.
By the end of 2015, all of Woolworths’ farmed products will be sourced from aquaculture operations that are:
- Engaged in a credible, time-bound improvement project or, where applicable
- WWF-SASSI green-listed, or
- Formally committed to achieving the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification or have other credible standards in place
And by the end of 2020, all aquaculture species sold will be:
- From aquaculture operations that are engaged in a credible, time-bound Improvement Project, or
- WWF-SASSI green-listed, or
- Where applicable, ASC (or equivalent) certified
Hezron Joseph, Woolworths Seafood Technologist, said: “Woolworths is dedicated to seafood sustainability and providing the best for our customers. Through our Fishing for the Future programme we are helping aquaculture become a more environmentally and socially responsible choice for our customers. Our commitments, which include the ASC, help us achieve this by ensuring that our seafood is responsibly sourced and traceable back to the farm that raised it.”
To meet its commitment, Woolworths hopes to offer consumers ASC certified trout, salmon and shrimp in the near future.
