MSC CALLS FOR FISHING SECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL AWARDS

MSC calls for fishing sector nominations for annual awards. The MSC is calling for nominations for Fishing Hero of the Year, the winner of which will be announced at this year’s MSC and ASC UK Awards.

On 15^th July, nominations open for Fishing Hero of the Year. This category is peer-nominated, and awarded to an individual who has driven forward sustainability efforts at an MSC certified fishery. Past winners have included Will Treneer from the Cornish Sardine Fishery and George Andrew Williamson from the SSMO Shetland Inshore Brown Crab and Scallop Fishery. Nominations can be made via the MSC website.

Another category celebrating fisheries and the UK catching sector is the Ocean Leadership Award, which will go to a fishery nominated by the MSC UK team and judged by an external expert panel. This award recognises and rewards leadership in furthering the sustainability of fisheries. Past winners of the category have included The Dee Estuary and Burry Inlet Cockle fishery and the Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group (SPSG).

The Awards bring MSC partners and wider stakeholders together to celebrate excellence in sustainable fishing and seafood and for the first time ever the MSC UK Product of the Year will be judged by public voting. This new approach will engage consumers, highlighting the wealth and diversity of sustainable seafood products available on shelf, including several sourced from local MSC certified fisheries. Public voting for Product of the Year will open on 15^th July, along with entry for all other categories.

Other changes to the awards will see the two former Supermarket of the Year categories combined to award gold, silver and bronze prizes across all retail. Offering smaller and independent retailers the chance to be recognised alongside the multi-nationals. Online Brand of the Year will now be judged based on self-nominations, giving brands more opportunity to shout about their innovative sustainability initiatives.

Lisa Bennet, Senior Fisheries Outreach Manager for MSC UK & Ireland, said:

“We’ve had some outstanding winners who have shown a real commitment to sustainable fishing in previous years across both categories. This year we are looking for a Fishing Hero who has really gone the extra mile to deliver changes on the water and for Ocean Leadership, we look for a fishery that has shown exceptional commitment to sustainability – whether in adopting new technological advancements, excellent management or overcoming challenges. We look forward to reading the entries.”

The MSC and ASC UK Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in sustainable fishing and responsible aquaculture across the entire UK fishing, aquaculture and business spectrum. Winners can use their title to promote their commitment to sustainable seafood and responsible aquaculture, and the role they’ve played in helping grow ecolabel awareness and understanding amongst seafood consumers around the UK.

This year’s awards event will be held in the South West in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, and a fitting venue for celebrating sustainable fishing and seafood. Full details of the awards can be found here.