Aldi tops sustainable fish list

THE discount retailer Aldi has been named as the UK supermarket chain with the best record of stocking the highest proportion of sustainable seafood, says the Marine Stewardship Council. It is even beating high end retailers such as Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.
The MSC, which is the international body that sets fishing standards around the world,  also says that more shops generally  are now selling certified fish than ever before with sales up by 60 per cent.
But Aldi comes way out on top. Figures show that almost  80 per cent of fish sold by  the German owned retailer is  certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. Sainsbury\’s came second in the table, stocking more than 200 certified products to make up 76 per cent of its wild seafood range.
​Lidl, another German owned discounter,  came third with just over 100 products or 72 per cent of its range. Waitrose\’s range is 67 per cent MSC certified, while Tesco’s sustainable figure  is 48 per cent.
Toby Middleton, head of market operations at the MSC, said: “The majority of British supermarkets are making a real investment in the future of their seafood”
He added: “If you’re buying MSC-labelled fish or seafood in one of these top five supermarkets, you’re helping to make a positive difference to the world’s oceans.  Our league table shows that retailers are offering their customers clear labelling and the chance to make a difference, helping to protect fish stocks for our children and our grandchildren.”