Morrisons today announces a comprehensive change to its sourcing of own-brand canned tuna to ensure that it is caught using the pole and line method or from FAD-free fisheries.
This policy also applies to tuna used as an ingredient in Morrisons products including sandwiches and instore prepared products.
We will also help customers with their purchase decisions by amending our labels to include the catch method and origin of the tuna.
Morrisons is makingthis decision because it knows our customers want us to help reduce the impact of tuna fishing on the marine environment.
The company has been working towards a change of sourcing policy for some time, working with suppliers and talking to industry bodies and NGO’s. We are now in a position to be able to publicly make our position clear and on the basis that having done the work up front that we will be well placed to deliver.
Martyn Jones, Group Director of Corporate Services for Morrisons said: “At Morrisons, we only make promises that we can keep and that is why we are giving this commitment to source sustainably-caught tuna today.
“Our customers want their tuna to be caught responsibly and we now believe we have the supply chain in place to ensure we can meet our customers’ aspirations.”
This change strengthens Morrisons own label credentials on canned fish where Morrisons label canned salmon, mackerel and Albacore tuna are currently sourced from MSC accredited fisheries.
Morrisons fresh tuna is already line caught or sourced from the Cornish coast when in season.
Our fresh fish counters are certified under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Chain of Custody traceability programme. This ensures that traceability is maintained throughout all stages of the supply chain, from certified fisheries through to the counter.
Morrisons also stocks 50 different varieties of fish and we encourage our customers to eat a diverse range.
We are the only British major supermarket to label each fish on our fresh fish counters with its scientific name and catch method, as well as the area where the fish was caught.
Morrisons endorses the call that Greenpeace has made for large scale marine reserves, and in particular the Pacific Commons region, to be set aside so that tuna is not taken from the region.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Survey in 2009 found Morrisons to have a ‘strong seafood sourcing policy’ and the ‘largest choice of sustainable seafood (from their 'Fish to Eat’ list).’ We will continue to work with organisations such as the MCS, MSC and with our suppliers to ensure best practice.