The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is a global NPO managing robust global standards for responsible aquaculture. The initiative was co-founded in 2010 by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF).
Woolworths has a long-standing commitment to sourcing sustainable fish options in both the wild and farmed fishing environments. Through a variety of ongoing initiatives, it raises consumer awareness of the dangers of overfishing and the importance of conserving collapsing fisheries by making responsible fish choices. In 2008, Woolworths became the first retailer to commit to the WWF-SASSI Retail Charter.
"This summer we've taken another major step in our responsible fishing journey. We're delighted that concerned consumers can enjoy delicious fish while helping to lift the pressure on wild caught fish stocks," says Spencer Sonn, MD of Woolworths Foods. "A critical part of our commitment to making sustainable fish available is that we empower consumers to choose wisely and buy responsibly sourced fish."
Woolworths' new ASC-certified fish lines are:
The products will be labelled with the ASC logo, which is your assurance that the product is from a sustainable, responsible farm.
The launch of the new ASC-certified lines is another step towards meeting our 2020 commitments for aquaculture.
Chris Kastern, the Seafood Market Transformation Manager of the WWF South Africa commended Woolworths for taking the lead in launching South Africa's first ASC-certified farmed fish products. "Over the years, Woolworths has shown true commitment in sourcing and making sustainable seafood options available. By purchasing fish sourced from responsible aquaculture operations, Woolies customers contributes towards the protection of the planet, while supporting an aquaculture industry that is providing sustainable livelihoods in local communities. Everyone wins throughout the supply chain, while, at the same time, they are ensuring that environmental impacts are minimised."
