The Sustainable Fish Cities pledge commits Brakes to a suite of measures, which will ensure that all their general sale, own brand fish and seafood products are from verifiably sustainable sources, protecting marine environments and supporting sustainable fishermen and farmers.
Brakes’ new fish sourcing policy means that with immediate effect Brakes have stopped sourcing MCS 5 rated products and committed to removing or resourcing all 4 rated items within 12 months.
Brakes will also clearly identify which products are most sustainable by applying the MCS’s 1-3 rating on their online product directory to help customers make the best choices. Products may also be Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certified.
Adam Swan, Category Director at Brakes, said: “We are proud to be the first national fish supplier in the UK to commit to the Fish Cities pledge, giving Brakes customers unprecedented access to sustainable fish.
“The commitment will help caterers following important initiatives in their sectors such as schools’ “Food for Life” or the new Hospital Foods Standard as well as supporting our group and independent customers’ own sustainability claims.
“The new commitment means that customers buying Brakes products can meet their sustainability criteria and be confident in their supply chains.
“We hope our pledge will encourage our customers and the industry to sign up and help protect fish stocks.”
To mark the occasion, the pledge was signed at an event yesterday at the Sea Life London Aquarium. To show their support, the aquarium’s divers took to the depths of the million litre Ocean Display to tuck in to a traditional Friday fish supper, surrounded by dozens of resident fish, turtles and sharks.