Tesco and Sainsbury’s Shine at the 2025 MSC and ASC UK Awards

In a spectacular ceremony held last night at the Signet Library in Edinburgh, Tesco and Sainsbury’s were honoured with top accolades at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) UK and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) UK Awards. Tesco took home the prestigious title of MSC UK Supermarket of the Year, while Sainsbury’s was named ASC Retailer of the Year for their ongoing commitment to sustainable seafood sourcing.

Recognition for Leading Supermarkets

The event celebrated the achievements of six major UK supermarkets, acknowledging their efforts in sourcing, promoting, and selling sustainably caught and responsibly farmed seafood. Attendees were treated to insightful talks from notable figures in Scottish academia and the fishing industry, including Professor Baukje de Roos from the University of Aberdeen and MSC certified fisherman Alex Wiseman.

Tesco’s Commitment to Sustainability

Tesco was recognised for expanding the variety and volume of its sustainable seafood offerings. Natalie Smith, Head of Agriculture and Fisheries at Tesco, stated, “As the UK’s biggest fishmonger, we’re passionate about promoting healthy oceans and fish stocks. We’ve committed to source 100% MSC-certified tuna by the end of 2025 and have grown our MSC-labelled range across all categories to 77%.” She emphasized the company’s dedication to continuously improving its supply chain and enhancing support for fisheries working towards MSC certification.

Sainsbury’s Continues Winning Streak

Sainsbury’s excelled for the fourth consecutive year, securing the ASC UK Retailer of the Year title. The supermarket was noted for its unwavering commitment to sourcing 100% ASC-certified seafood and its exceptional range of responsibly farmed products. Dave Parker, Head of Aquaculture and Fisheries at Sainsbury’s, remarked, “We’re delighted to be recognised with this award, reflecting the hard work of our teams and partners.” He reiterated their commitment to responsibly sourced food for all customers.

Other Awards and Achievements

Lidl and Iceland closely followed Tesco, winning the Silver and Bronze awards in the MSC’s Supermarket of the Year category. Meanwhile, Ocado continued its reign by winning MSC UK Online Brand of the Year for the fourth year running, and Princes secured the MSC UK Seafood Brand of the Year for the second time in a row.

Record Consumer Spending on Sustainable Seafood

In a testament to growing consumer demand, UK and Irish spending on certified sustainable seafood reached a record-breaking £1.5 billion in 2023/24, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. George Clark, MSC Programme Director for the UK and Ireland, praised the supermarkets for their efforts, stating, “Year by year, we’re seeing the major supermarkets source, promote, and sell more sustainable seafood than ever before.”

ASC’s Vision for Sustainable Seafood

Maud van den Haspel, ASC General Manager for the UK and Benelux, highlighted the collective efforts of the seafood industry in pushing for environmental sustainability and social responsibility. “These awards showcase that when we work together with a shared purpose, we can transform seafood farming for the better,” she said, encouraging more partners to join the cause.

Growing Demand for ASC-Labelled Products

The demand for ASC-labelled products in the UK continues to thrive, with 857 certified items now available—a remarkable 19% increase since October 2024. The nation’s aquaculture sector is also expanding responsibly, with ASC-certified farm sites increasing by 15% to 83 nationwide.

Notable Wins in Other Categories

Asda earned the MSC UK Marketing Campaign of the Year for its Sustainable Seafood September campaign, which significantly boosted sales of MSC-certified cod fillets. Waitrose claimed the MSC UK Product of the Year 2025, voted by consumers, for its No.1 Moules Marinière with Wild Garlic & Chardonnay.

Northcoast Seafoods and New England Seafood International were named MSC UK and ASC UK Retail Supplier of the Year, while Birds Eye won ASC UK Brand of the Year and MOWI’s Scottish salmon fillets won the consumer vote for ASC UK Product of the Year.

For more information, visit MSC’s official website or follow their social media channels to stay updated on sustainable seafood initiatives.

Main Image © Craig Heaslip for MSC.