Fish & seafood sustainability
Background
The amount of fish and seafood taken from the world’s oceans has increased five-fold in the last 50 years. Over fishing is the biggest threat to our ocean environment, it threatens species with extinction and disrupts the natural ocean eco-system, sometimes with catastrophic consequences.
Action
Brakes is committed to protecting fish stocks, supporting sustainable fishing and supporting fishing communities. It was the first foodservice supplier to introduce products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) – a guarantee that fish come from suppliers who meet rigorous standards of sustainability.
The business was the first to ban Bluefin Tuna, Shark, Orange Roughy, European Eel and Atlantic Halibut and actively promotes under-utilised UK species, such as Gurnard and Cornish Albacore Tuna.
Brakes has also been involved with the Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS) since its inception, this promotes good operational and environmental practices in the UK fleet.
The company also raises awareness among suppliers and caterers about the advantages of alternative, sustainable species through imaginative marketing and educational campaigns, such as a UK-wide seafood road show involving celebrity chefs.
Outcome
Brakes now offers the biggest range of MSC-certified products in UK foodservice.
The company is actively involved in the ‘Fish & Kids’ initiative that has encouraged nearly 3,000 primary schools to regularly offer sustainable MSC-certified fish for lunch to nearly one million children.
Brakes supports the only Cornish boat landing line-caught Albacore Tuna and its British Skippers Scheme supports 30 UK RFS accredited vessels, allowing selected customers to name the catching vessels on their menus.
