Carrefour Italy and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) will collaborate to provide Italian consumers with certified sustainable seafood products that ensure healthy oceans and contribute to protecting seafood supplies for future generations.

Carrefour Italy has committed to supply its customers with seafood products carrying the blue MSC label. This commitment follows an evaluation of Carrefour Italy's seafood suppliers. It means that Carrefour customers will now be able to choose seafood which has been certified to the most recognised and credible standard for environmentally sustainable fishing.

Ocean to plate sustainability

The MSC's requirements are not limited to just fishing practices, but extend throughout the entire supply chain. Fisheries must meet the three principles of MSC Fisheries Standard: sustainable fish stocks; minimising environmental impact; and effective management. Additionally, seafood suppliers must keep MSC certified seafood segregated and correctly marked for it to be sold with the MSC label. 

Making a sustainable purchase easy

The MSC label makes it easy for consumers to choose a sustainable product without the expertise needed to evaluate often complex elements of sustainability. Fishing area, habitats, fishing gear, catch size, illegal fishing and bycatch are just some of the aspects covered by the MSC program. By choosing MSC labelled seafood, consumers will contribute to the health of our oceans.

A commitment to protect a wide variety of species

In the coming months, Carrefour shops in Italy will stock various types of seafood (frozen, canned and chilled) with the MSC label. This will include products containing several species including anchovies, plaice, cod, wild salmon, albacore tuna and pink shrimp. This demonstrates Carrefour’s 360° commitment to seafood sustainability in order to protect all species, not just those with greater media attention.

Carrefour's commitment does not end with offering products with the MSC label, but creates a virtuous system pushing their suppliers to be certified and to source MSC certified raw materials. Increasing the demand for sustainable products encourages new fisheries to enter the MSC program and implement sustainable practices.

Flavia Mare, Corporate Social Responsibility manager of Carrefour Italy, said, "We all have to be aware that our oceans are not an unlimited resource. The only way to ensure access to seafood, to all people, for the future is to ensure sustainable fishing. Carrefour's commitment to seafood sustainability began in 2007, with our support of a WWF call to stop the sale of Bluefin tuna. It has continued through the fight against illegal fishing and the constant verification of the minimum catch size of fish. By joining the MSC program, Carrefour continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and the protection of marine resources."

Francesca Oppia, MSC Italy Director, said: "We are very happy that Carrefour Italy has chosen to sell seafood with the MSC label. We're convinced that this commitment Carrefour will play an important role in educating Italian consumers and seafood producers, helping to create a more sustainable seafood market. The Italian market is less developed, in terms of sustainability, than other European markets but there are very positive signs. Our experience in Europe shows that retailers can be the real engine in driving seafood sustainability. Welcome on board, Carrefour Italy."