ALDI SOUTH Group has become the first food retailer globally to include the MSC's new Improvement Program in its sourcing policy. The Program was launched last October to offer fisheries support and incentives to become more sustainable, provided they make measurable improvements over a five-year period. It has been designed to support fisheries worldwide, regardless of their size or location to make the changes necessary for them to meet the MSC Fisheries Standard.
This initiative complements existing Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), which operate globally. While many businesses already source seafood from FIPs as part of their sustainable sourcing commitments, the effectiveness and impact of these projects can vary significantly. Through its Improvement Program, the MSC will provide stronger assurance that fisheries´ improvements are verified and timely. The Program will recognise fisheries from the most effective FIPs, as well as other engaged fisheries, with the aim that they become able to enter full assessment against the MSC Fisheries Standard within five years.
Fisheries participating in the MSC Improvement Program will not be eligible to use the MSC ecolabel as their catch is not certified sustainable. However, once they achieve minimum performance requirements across all indicators and meet specific traceability requirements, they may gain access to MSC-certified supply chains. As an added incentive, retail products containing their seafood can display a back-of-pack statement indicating their participation in the improvement program.
Anke Ehlers, Managing Director of International Sustainability at ALDI SOUTH Group said: “As an international food retailer we rely on global certification schemes, such as the MSC, to source sustainable seafood. But we also know that the most urgent improvements for the health of our ocean lie with fisheries that are not yet ready for certification. By engaging in the MSC Improvement Program, we will support such fisheries on a journey towards greater sustainability and contribute to measurable environmental improvements in the way fisheries operate.”
Amanda Lejbowicz, MSC’s Head of Fishery Standard Accessibility, said: “The MSC Improvement Program offers a new solution to commercial companies which want to support fisheries on their way towards sustainability and seek greater assurance around their FIPs, and faster progress towards MSC certification. By including the program in its sourcing policy, ALDI SOUTH Group is leading the way in demonstrating market demand for products from Improvement Program fisheries. We hope to see many more retailers follow in the coming months."
The new MSC program builds on a previous pilot initiative, which ran from 2020 to 2024. During this phase, 16 fisheries from South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, India, Nicaragua and Peru, as well as one Scottish fishery, were successively included into the program. The first fishery to successfully complete the program during the pilot phase was part of the South African Pole & Line Albacore tuna fishery. Following the implementation of improvements in data collection, monitoring by independent observers, implementation of management rules and minimisation of bycatch of endangered species, particularly seabirds, this fishery was able to meet the MSC standard and get certified in an independent certification process in August 2024.