Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has become the United Kingdom’s first retailer to launch a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified sustainable tuna sandwich.
The new range of MSC certified pole and line caught sandwiches and salads, follows the retailer’s introduction of MSC certified canned skipjack tuna sourced from the Maldives last year.
The MSC certified fish is sourced from the Maldives using a low-impact pole and line technique where each wild fish is caught individually to reduce by catch.
Sainsbury’s led the way in 2011 with all own-brand canned tuna including that used as an ingredient being fished using pole and line method.
It sits alongside the retailer’s achievement at top spot of Greenpeace’s 2014 tuna league table which looks at the sustainability standard of canned tuna sold in supermarkets.
The range includes Sainsbury’s Tuna and sweetcorn sandwich, Sainsbury’s Tuna mayonnaise sandwich, Sainsbury’s Tuna and cucumber sub roll and, Sainsbury’s Tuna and sweetcorn pasta salad.
Ally Dingwall, Sainsbury’s Aquaculture and Fisheries expert said: “We’re always looking for ways to help our customers make sustainable choices.
“We’re proud that this launch is another example of offering sustainable values along with everyday value.”
Toby Middleton, MSC Senior Country Manager said: “This is a really important move by Sainsbury’s.
“The UK’s first MSC certified tuna sandwich is a milestone for sustainable seafood.
“Tuna is a poster child for sustainable seafood and Maldivian pole and line-caught skipjack tuna was MSC certified in 2012.
“By choosing tuna from the Maldives tuna fishery, Sainsbury’s is supporting artisanal fishermen who have made an international difference to the way the Indian Ocean fishery is managed.”
The move comes as part of Sainsbury’s 20×20 Sustainability Plan that all the fish the company sell will be independently certified as sustainable by 2020.
Sainsbury’s is the second largest supermarket chain in the UK operating 1106 supermarkets and convenience stores and employing around 157,000 people.
