Shellfish cooperative scoops sustainability award
A seafood cooperative representing Scottish shellfish producers was named as Supplier of the Year in the Marine Stewardship Council awards, held last night in Plymouth.
Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group (SSMG) won the coveted title of MSC Supplier of the Year, an award for which it was nominated by its customers, in recognition of the organisation’s commitment to responsible sourcing.
The MSC and ASC UK 2024 Awards, held jointly and sponsored by Seafood Scotland, Plymouth Gin and Plymouth City Council, were a celebration of the commitment to sustainable seafood and responsible aquaculture across the whole supply chain from ocean to plate.
The ASC awards saw accolades for Fish Said Fred, Sainsbury’s and Lyons Seafood.
SSMG mussel farms have been MSC accredited for more than 12 years. This year SSMG was also the first producer to be accredited ASC certification for Scottish farmed Pacific Oysters.
Derek Sharp, Commercial Manager, Scottish Shellfish said, “We’re really proud that SSMG won Supplier of the Year especially as this award was nominated by our customers. It was great to be able to celebrate with them and share in our success ”
Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group are a co-operative with 15 members, supplying MSC Mussels to supermarkets and foodservice operators throughout the UK. Demonstrating their leadership in the Scottish farmed shellfish market, they commissioned research last year to gain insights into the environmental effects of mussel and oyster farming, along with the nutritional advantages of eating more of them. This initiative further reinforces their central message about the sustainability and health benefits of Scottish Mussels.
Sharp added “We are genuinely enthusiastic about the future of Scottish mussels and will keep investing to maintain our market leadership while delivering outstanding products and services to our customers ”
The winners of the MSC awards, in full, were:
- MSC UK Supermarket of the Year 2024: Gold – Sainsbury’s; Silver – Iceland; and Bronze – Lidl.
- MSC UK Retail Supplier of the Year 2024 – Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group.
- MSC UK Seafood Brand of the Year 2024 – Princes.
- UK Online Brand of the Year 2024 – Ocado.
- MSC UK Marketing Champion of the Year 2024 – Lidl.
- MSC UK Marketing Campaign of the Year 2024 – Birds Eye & Iceland, for Big Sea Savings.
- MSC UK Foodservice Supplier of the Year 2024 – Brakes and M&J – Sysco companies.
- MSC UK Foodservice Champion of the Year 2024 – Lussmanns.
- MSC UK Ocean Leadership Award 2024 – Cornish Sardine Management Association.
- MSC UK Fishing Hero of the Year 2024 – Ian Syvret, Jersey lobster fishery
- MSC UK Newcomer of the Year 2024 – Crosta & Mollica.
George Clark, MSC UK & Ireland Programme Director, said: “It’ s fantastic to gather together in Plymouth once again this year, to celebrate the major achievements in sustainable seafood.
“From the fishing sector who land the catch, up through the supply chain to the brands and retailers making commitments to source only from sustainable fisheries and ASC-certified fish farms to provide to their customers, our award winners tonight really are demonstrating excellence in the sector.”
