Image: MSC & ASC
Nominations have opened for the 2025 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) UK Awards, with individuals and businesses across the UK seafood sector, including fishers, farmers, suppliers and retailers, invited to participate.
According to the organisers, the awards are intended to highlight those helping to ensure seafood is responsibly sourced, from "ocean to plate and farm to fork".
This year’s MSC Awards include 15 categories, with six now accepting nominations until 29 August. The ASC categories include UK Retailer of the Year, UK Retail Supplier of the Year and Brand of the Year. A new ASC category, the ASC UK Newcomer of the Year Award, has also been introduced for this year's awards, aimed at recognising a partner showing recent commitment to the certification programme.
In addition to the main categories, public voting has also opened for the MSC and ASC Product of the Year – Consumer Choice awards, which the organisations say are designed to celebrate products favoured by shoppers and to promote responsible seafood consumption.
A judging panel will determine the winners, who will be announced at a gala event in Scotland this October, the organisations said.
Last year’s winners included Sainsbury’s, Birds Eye, and Iceland, as well as Jersey fisherman Ian Syvret, who was named "Fishing Hero of the Year".
“The MSC UK awards continue to reward the outstanding effort, expertise and ingenuity demonstrated across the whole seafood supply chain," said George Clark, MSC UK & Ireland Programme Director, urging participation from across the sector.
"With consumers demanding more sustainable seafood than ever, we’re delighted and proud to be able to reward those individuals and organisations playing their part in delivering the mission of our programme, and safeguarding seafood supplies for future generations. These awards are such a special moment in the calendar to champion them," Clark added.
Maud van den Haspel, ASC General Manager for the UK and Benelux, said the awards "celebrate the dedication it takes to commit fully to responsible seafood, every single day.”
“As ASC continues to grow in the UK, we hope this level of commitment becomes the standard - encouraging more local farmers, processors, and retailers to choose change and help transform the farmed seafood sector for the better," he added.
More information on the awards and how to apply can be found on the Marine Stewardship Council website.
