Consumers vote Mowi Scotland's salmon the best ASC choice
MOWI-branded Scottish salmon fillets have won the inaugural Consumer Choice Award organised by certification body, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
Almost 1,000 UK consumers voted for their favourite from a shortlist of products from seafood farmers accredited by the ASC. Other shortlisted options included Golden Shell Mussels by Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd, along with prawns, two sea bass products, crumbed Mediterranean fish fillets, basa (pangasius) fillets, and Sainsbury’s own-brand pesto and Parmigiano Reggiano crusted salmon fillets.
The shortlist also included Amee Jee’s Mega Fish Burgers (59% pangasius), and a fish and seafood casserole mix from frozen foods retailer Iceland.
James Cowan, sales director for Mowi Consumer Products UK, said: “We’re thrilled that our MOWI Scottish Salmon Fillets have been chosen by the public as Product of the Year – Consumer Choice. Knowing that seafood lovers themselves voted for our product makes this award especially meaningful.
“It’s a wonderful recognition of our team’s dedication and care taken from egg to plate - raising salmon to the highest standards of responsibility and preparing it, restaurant-style, for customer delight. The award shows the power consumers have in driving sustainable choices across the industry.”
The award was one of several announced by the ASC, and the only one chosen by the public. Other awards – open to ASC-accredited companies - were made by a panel of judges comprised of fisheries and market experts, and chef and restaurateur Mitch Tonks.
Fourth win for Sainsbury's
Sainsbury’s was named ASC UK Retailer of the Year for the fourth year in a row for its ongoing commitment to sourcing 100% ASC-certified seafood. Its salmon is supplied by Mowi Scotland.
The retailer’s head of aquaculture and fisheries Dave Parker said: “We’re passionate about the welfare of animals in our supply chains, and committed to working closely with our partners to deliver good food that is sourced responsibly, for everyone, every day.
“We're delighted to be recognised with this award from the ASC, reflecting the hard work of our teams and partners who make it possible to offer a wide range of responsibly sourced seafood products to our customers.”
ASC UK Retail Supplier of the Year was New England Seafood International (NESI), which has operations in Chessington in Surrey, in Grimsby, and in Paignton, Devon. It was recognised for driving growth in responsibly certified seafood and helping make sustainable choices more accessible to consumers nationwide.
Birds Eye was crowned ASC UK Brand of the Year for its impressive range of ASC-labelled seafood and its strong commitment to promoting responsible aquaculture.
BioMar tastes success
The Newcomer of the Year Award went to aquafeed supplier BioMar for its outstanding commitment to the ASC programme and its active role in advancing a more sustainable future for seafood farming. BioMar supplies Scotland’s second-largest salmon producer, Scottish Sea Farms, and niche producer Loch Duart.
Rob Wilson, business unit director for BioMar UK said the company believed in the sustainable future of the seafood industry and remained committed to playing its part in shaping a more responsible and transparent aquaculture industry.
“We’re thrilled to be recognised as ASC’s Newcomer of the Year. I’m proud of our dedicated team, who worked tirelessly to ensure we are aligned with the ASC programme.”
A force for good
Maud van den Haspel, ASC general manager for the UK and Benelux, said the awards celebrate the people driving the transformation of the seafood farming industry - producers, processors, brands, and retailers.
“As ASC continues to grow in the UK, I hope these achievements inspire more partners to join us. Together, we can transform aquaculture into a true force for good - for farms, fish, people, and the planet.”
Awards were also given by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to the wild-catch sector. A list of the winners can be found here.
