Co-op has announced it will be transitioning 100% of its standard own-brand fresh and frozen farmed seafood range to meet the standards of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification.

ASC is an international standard certification for ethical aquaculture sourcing, with a process that ensures fish welfare as well as protecting the environment and local community farms.

Sam Darley, fisheries and agriculture compliance manager at Co-op, stated: “Offering high-quality, sustainably sourced seafood on our shelves is at the heart of our commitment as a responsible retailer, and moving 100% of our farmed fish to ASC by 2027 reflects the rigorous standards we have upheld since 2008, ensuring all seafood is sourced from well-managed farms and fisheries whilst minimising our impact on the marine environment.”

Lief Hendrikz, ASC market development manager for the UK & Ireland, speaking on behalf of the UK Market Development Team, added: “We welcome Co-op’s commitment and congratulate them on their leadership in responsible sourcing.

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“Moving to 100% ASC-certified farmed seafood is great news for shoppers who want to choose change and support responsible aquaculture,” said Hendrikz.

”Retailers play a vital role in driving positive progress, and Co-op’s move will help make responsibly farmed seafood more widely available across the UK.”

Co-op’s private label fresh seabass is the first product to launch with the ASC logo, and the transition for the 18 remaining lines will take place over the next 15 months.

The move is part of the convenience retailer’s strategy to improve transparency, traceability and ethical sourcing across the seafood supply chain and builds on the retailer’s support for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).