The seafood industry is under scrutiny with claims that some retailers and suppliers are misleading consumers regarding the sustainability of their products. UK charity Open Seas has accused major companies such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Young’s Seafood, and Whitby Seafoods of making “misleading” claims about the sustainability of their langoustine and scampi products.
According to Open Seas, these companies are part of a fishery improvement project (FIP) that aims to enhance the sustainability of the UK’s langoustine industry. However, the FIP’s progress has been deemed unsatisfactory, with several key issues remaining unaddressed, including problems related to the bottom trawl fishery method. Open Seas’ report specifically highlighted concerns about harvest strategy, vessel monitoring, benthic impacts, and threats to endangered marine species.
Despite a five-year work plan being established with the goal of addressing these concerns by April 2024, the FIP has fallen short. The Marine Stewardship Council, which funds the FIP, confirmed that while some progress has been made, a “significant number of actions” have not achieved their targets.
Open Seas describes this level of performance as “completely unacceptable” for a developed country and fishery that is already well-documented and understood. The charity emphasized that the failure of the FIP poses a significant problem for the seafood supply chain and reflects poorly on fishery management in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Nick Underdown, head of campaigns for Open Seas, stated, “UK supermarkets and food companies are misleading their customers by giving the impression of sustainability and responsibility, whilst they have done very little to justify these environmental statements.”
The situation has also led to challenges in the seafood supply chain, including Whitby Seafoods’ recent decision to abandon a deal to buy Kilhorne Bay Seafoods, the UK’s second-largest scampi supplier, following concerns raised by the UK’s competition watchdog.
The issue at hand underscores the importance of transparency and accountability within the food and beverage industry. As consumers increasingly prioritize sustainable and responsibly sourced products, it is essential for businesses to uphold the integrity of their environmental claims. This scrutiny of sustainability practices in the seafood industry serves as a reminder of the significance of environmental responsibility in the food and drink business.
