Australia’s most sustainable seafood revealed in Sustainable Seafood Awards 2021
The Marine Stewardship Council has recognised the world-leading fisheries, suppliers and retailers who are making a positive difference in protecting the future of commercial seafood fisheries and the sustainability of our oceans.
Perth-based Austral Fisheries Glacier 51 Toothfish has taken out the title of Best Sustainable Seafood Product for the second year running, this time shared with the newly Marine Stewardship Council certified Fremantle Octopus range.
Meanwhile, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council certified Australian Clean Seas kingfish scooped the accolade for Best Responsible Seafood Product.
Glacier 51 Toothfish celebrates this achievement alongside its recent accolade as the world’s first carbon neutral seafood. Located in an isolated fishery around Heard Island, a Sub-Antarctic region, the fish is sustainably caught in underwater volcanic crevices 2,000 metres below sea level.
Fremantle Octopus shares the Best Sustainable Seafood Product award with their range of raw, cooked, and marinated octopus from the Western Australia octopus fishery, which was certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard in 2019.
Australian Clean Seas kingfish receives ASC’s Best Responsible Seafood Product award, reflecting its highly sustainable farming practices in Spencer Gulf, South Australia.
Six awards were given, along with six commendations and a lifetime achievement award.
Coles Supermarkets gains a hat trick, receiving the top award for MSC Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket, and highly commended recognition for MSC Sustainable Seafood Product – WA rock lobster, and ASC Responsible Seafood Importer.
Harley & Johns Seafood wins the Community Champion Award for their dedication to serving their local Wollongong community.
Leading Australian food distributor Bidfood takes ASC’s Best Seafood Importer Award for their commitment to responsible sourcing of both domestic and imported seafood.
The MSC and ASC Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr Keith Sainsbury, a Tasmanian-based marine ecologist and mathematical modeller. Dr Sainsbury was recognised for his significant contributions to advancing sustainable fisheries management through more than 20 years working for the CSIRO, and more recently, with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania.
Anne Gabriel from the Marine Stewardship Council said, “We’re honoured to work with fisheries, suppliers and retailers who are making a positive difference in protecting the future of one of our last major food sources that is truly wild. We want to acknowledge their efforts in making a sustainable future.”
Duncan Leadbitter from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council said, “Not only do we want to recognise the aquaculture farms that are located in some of the most beautiful parts in the country, but we are also wholeheartedly impressed by the overall supply chain that has taken the extra step to ensure our seafood is responsibly sourced.”
This year’s Sustainable Seafood Awards are hosted by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), and commends people and organisations that are leading the way in protecting the future of our seafood.
The awards were judged by a panel of leaders from the sustainability and environment sectors, including Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand, Ocean Watch Australia, and Ocean Future Fund.
The awards were presented during a Sustainable Seafood Week Australia launch event at Taronga Zoo Sydney.
The award winners are pictured with their certificates.
Sustainable Seafood Awards 2021 winners:
Community Champion – MSC
Award winner: Harley & Johns Seafood, Fairy Meadow, NSW
Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket – MSC
Award winner: Coles Supermarkets
Best Sustainable Seafood Product – MSC
Award winners:
o Glacier 51 Toothfish – Austral Fisheries
o Fremantle Octopus Range – Fremantle Octopus
Highly commended:
o Crumbed Australian Prawn Cutlets – Bidfood
o Just Caught Crumbed Fish Fillets Multiseed – KB Food Company
o Coles Western Australian Rock Lobsters – Coles
o OceanRise Pink Salmon 130g – ALDI
Best Responsible Seafood Product – ASC
Award winner: KB Seafood Co using the Australian Clean Seas kingfish
Highly commended: Woolworths Smoked Oysters – Woolworths
Responsible Seafood Importer – ASC:
Award winner: Bidfood
Highly commended:
o KB Foods
o Coles Supermarkets
Lifetime Achievement – MSC and ASC:
Award winner: Dr Keith Sainsbury