
Planet
Covering three quarters of the Earth’s surface, oceans are home to some of the planet’s most unique and diverse creatures. Oceans also help stabilise our climate and are a key source of food for billions of people around the world.
94%
of all fish stocks are either overfished or at a maximum sustainable level
by 2030
all Tesco seafood will be sustainably sourced
Improving
the health of fish stocks and the marine ecosystem, and reducing impacts on non-target species
sustainable aquaculture and feed for farmed fish
Upholding
human rights
We aim to source all our wild fish sustainably and work with partners such as WWF and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership in support of this goal.
We are working with WWF to develop a Seascape approach to marine sustainability. This looks at the health of whole marine ecosystems, not just specific fish stocks. We’re starting with our tuna supply chain as it is recognised as one of the species being overfished. We’ll then look at other species. To reassure customers that fish is caught sustainably, we offer a range of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified seafood. Today, 63% of the wild fish we sell is MSC-certified and in 2021, we were named UK Supermarket of the Year by MSC. We work with suppliers on Fishery Improvement Projects and to ensure that all our seafood can be traced back to the boat that caught it. We are part of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative to help reduce pollution from fishing industry waste. Through the initiative we support “Fishing for Litter” in Scotland, where fisherman collect discarded fishing equipment and marine litter during their fishing trips.
We work with suppliers on innovations that protect the health of target fish stocks, mitigate the impact of fishing on non-target species and the wider marine environment, and reduce dependency on wild fish to feed farmed fish. For example, we’re expanding the use of alternative feed sources such as algal oil and insect protein in our feed supply chain. We know that parts of the seafood industry are also linked to poor working conditions and sometimes forced labour. Through programmes such as Project Issara and the Seafood Ethics Action Alliance, we are helping to improve visibility of working conditions and work towards eliminating forced labour in fishing.
Sourcing fish sustainably relies on effective ocean governance. It is why we’re calling for sustainable fisheries management, improved working standards, effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) (for ocean protection and ecosystem recovery), and mechanisms to prevent plastic and other waste entering the marine environment.
by 2025
100% MSC-certified tuna
by 2030
all seafood sustainably sourced
Tuna accounts for a significant proportion of our fish sales. But not all tuna fisheries are managed sustainably, so we have prioritised tuna sourcing as an area where we need to act. Learn more about our Tuna Transition Plan.
Fishing is one of the most dangerous professions in the world. As a result we are now gathering information to better understand the level of risk to workers in specific priority fisheries and what improvements may be required.
We are working with the krill fishing industry and NGOs to develop a voluntary agreement to stop fishing krill in sensitive areas of the Antarctic.
As a global retailer, Tesco has a crucial role in promoting healthy oceans and fish stocks, and preserving its resources for future generations.