Fishing for sustainability
We've had a sustainable fishing policy for over a decade, but now we're going even further by being the UK's first company to sign WWF's Seafood Charter. We're working with them to ensure that by 2012, all our wild fish will come from the most sustainable sources possible. Furthermore, by 2015, all of our farmed fish will only come from the most sustainable sources possible. Click here to view our video on the Seafood Charter.
Sustainable fishing is a complicated issue and one on which many people's livelihoods depend. Three-quarters of the world's fish stocks are currently fished at or beyond sustainable limits. Estimates show that around one-quarter of the UK's sea bed has been damaged by activities such as trawling and other industrial activities, at the same time as vulnerable marine habitats and species are struggling to adapt to the pressures of climate change.
With over 250 million people earning their living from fishing - and up to one billion relying on fish as their primary source of protein - this is a problem we cannot afford to ignore.
By signing the WWF Seafood Charter, we are tackling sustainable sourcing of all our seafood products. WWF will help us evaluate the sustainability of our fish products and give guidance on identifying and developing more sustainable sources. We will work together to raise awareness of sustainability issues relating to seafood products, helping customers make more informed choices.
Sally Bailey, Marine Programme Manager at WWF-UK said:
"We are delighted to be working with one of the UK's best known retailers to protect our fish stocks and safeguard the health of our oceans. The Seafood Charter may be directly targeted at retailers and processors, but it has implications for the thousands of fishermen in the UK and other parts of the world that depend on a healthy supply of fish to support their income, and ultimately the millions of people who buy, cook, and eat fish. Fish are a renewable resource if managed properly, and it's vital we take action now to prevent any further decline in their stock levels. By supporting the efforts of those who do fish sustainably, retailers and consumers can ensure we have plenty more fish in the sea to enjoy."
Paul Willgoss, Head of Technology at M&S, said; "Sustainable fishing is at the heart of food business, and we want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to be able to enjoy fish that is both tasty and sustainable."
To read WWF's Seafood Charter, click here and for more information on WWF's work visit www.wwf.org.uk.
Click here to view our full fishing policy and take a look at our Fish Guide for more information about the seafood you buy, plus a selection of delicious recipes to try.
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