Co-op scoops top award at Seafood Champions

The Co-operative has been named as one of only five worldwide recipients of a prestigious Seafood Champion Award for 2010.

The awards are presented by Seafood Choices, an initiative of international ocean conservation organisation SeaWeb, and recognise individuals and businesses for "outstanding leadership in promoting environmentally responsible seafood".

This year's Seafood Champions were unveiled at the International Boston Seafood Show, the largest seafood show in North America.

The Co-operative was the only UK recipient of an award, earned in recognition of its commitment to innovation and to sourcing seafood from responsible sources.

Ned Daly, North American director for Seafood Choices, said: "The Co-operative has made real and meaningful impacts in the area of seafood sustainability.

"The innovation and passion that it brings as part of the seafood industry sets it apart from its peers – while at the same time establishes the benchmark toward which others can strive."

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) recently ranked The Co-operative as the number one sustainable seafood retailer in the UK.

Only fish from certified, responsible sources are used for Co-operative-brand products, whether the fish are fresh, frozen or canned; from natural fillets or prepared products; or used as ingredients.

In addition, The Co-operative has eliminated all fish from the MCS Good Fish Guide's "fish to avoid" list, and has the largest percentage of sales from the MCS's "fish to eat" list.

Sean Toal, The Co-operative's commercial director for food retail, said: "The Co-operative takes its responsibility to source seafood from sustainable sources very seriously, and so we are delighted that our work in this important area has been recognised by being named as a Seafood Champion.

"This is a high-calibre, worldwide award, and so this is a tremendous achievement and one we are very proud of."

Source: The Co-op

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