South Africa retailer Woolworths has pledged to source Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)-certified farmed seafood by 2020.
In doing so, Woolworths joins a growing number of businesses making formal commitments to support responsible aquaculture practices. The food and clothing retailer introduced a sustainable seafood procurement policy in 2008 and was the first retailer to sign the World Wildlife Fund-Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (WWF-SASSI) Retail Charter. It also introduced its Fishing for the Future program.
“Woolworths is dedicated to seafood sustainability and providing the best for our customers,” said Hezron Joseph, Woolworths’ seafood technologist. “Through our Fishing for the Future program we are helping aquaculture become a more environmentally and socially responsible choice for our customers. Our commitments, which include the ASC, help us achieve this by ensuring that our seafood is responsibly sourced and traceable back to the farm that raised it.”
By the end of 2015, all of Woolworths’ farmed products will be sourced from aquaculture operations that are engaged in a credible, time-bound improvement project; or, where applicable, WWF-SASSI green-listed; formally committed to achieving ASC certification or have other credible standards in place.
By the end of 2020, all aquaculture species sold will be from aquaculture operations that are engaged in a credible, time-bound improvement project, WWF-SASSI green-listed, or, where applicable, ASC certified.
“I applaud Woolworths for its commitment to responsible aquaculture and recognizing the importance of moving global production to a more sustainable basis,” said Esther Luiten, ASC’s commercial Marketing Manager. It is great that Woolworths is offering a responsible choice for consumers in South Africa. I look forward to working with them as they strive to meet their sustainability goals.”
