M&J Seafood Bans Sale of European Eel & North Atlantic Halibut

M&J Seafood announced on the 1st February 2010 it would no longer supply European Eel to the catering trade from end of March 2010 due to the species being classified as critically endangered' on the IUCN Red List, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to M&J Seafood.

The decision to remove all European Eel from its frozen and fresh product portfolio comes as part of M&J's continued efforts to support sustainable sourcing and champion under-utilised species.

The company has also taken the decision to ban all North Atlantic Halibut sourced from ‘target capture fisheries'. Now M&J's frozen Halibut steaks will be sourced from sustainably certified Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) fisheries in the Pacific Ocean and fresh Halibut, will be sourced from Wild Pacific, Canadian and Alaskan MSC certified fisheries (season April -Nov) as well as Farmed Scottish and Norwegian suppliers.         

M&J Seafood is working closely with suppliers, WWF, Goodcatch and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to ensure its fish supply is not taken from threatened or depleting stocks, and is committed to raising awareness of sustainable sourcing in the foodservice industry. 

Mike Berthet, group director, fish and seafood at M&J comments: "At M&J we believe the catering industry operators and suppliers have an enormous role to play in supporting the sustainable management of our fish stocks. By refusing to sell endangered species and taking the initiative to help customers understand the issues and the alternatives open to them, suppliers like us can generate real change and help slow down and reverse over-fishing."