Winners of the inaugural ASC and MSC awards in Germany.
Photo: ASC / MSC
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) have for the first time awarded individuals and businesses in Germany for their contributions to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
The awards, which were announced on 19 September, highlight achievements across the German seafood supply chain, from producers to retailers, based on their commitment to certified sustainable practices under the ASC and MSC programmes.
“With these Awards, we aim not only to highlight standards but also to recognise the people and companies whose innovation and commitment make a real difference,” said Dennis Wittmann, General Manager for ASC in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH). “The award winners clearly demonstrate that responsible fishing and aquaculture are already a reality today. As role models, they are shaping the future of the sector.”
Kathrin Runge, MSC Programme Director for DACH, emphasised that the recognition is also intended to raise public awareness. “The Awards are far more than a recognition within the industry. When communicated effectively, they also make outstanding commitment visible to the public."
“They send a strong signal externally, guiding both companies and consumers and encouraging them to choose sustainable seafood – a crucial driver for further progress," Runge added.
The selection process looked at three main factors: the share of ASC- or MSC-certified products in a company’s range, how publicly the company committed to sustainable sourcing, and the quality and reach of its internal and external communications about sustainability. The assessment was based on activities carried out during 2024 and 2025 to ensure a fair comparison between nominees.
In the ASC category, Transgourmet was named Supplier of the Year, while Kaufland took the Retailer of the Year title. Regal Springs received the Aquaculture Champion award, and the top seafood brand awards went to MOWI for chilled products and Escal for frozen products.
Meanwhile, the MSC awards recognised Deutsche See as Wholesaler of the Year and EDEKA as Retailer of the Year. Iglo was awarded Seafood Brand of the Year, while MERL received the Herring Brand of the Year award for chilled products and Hawesta for canned products. The MSC's Sustainability Champion award went to Dr Uwe Richter, Chairman of the German Deep-Sea Fishing Association and Managing Director of Westbank Hochseefischerei GmbH.
“Many companies have impressively demonstrated how seriously they take sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture,” Runge said. “This shows how deeply responsible practices are embedded in the sector today, and we sincerely thank them for that.”