Viral videos help popular York chippy win top award – The York Press

Report on Sustainable Seafood Practices and Recognition in the UK Food Industry

Introduction: Industry Awards as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development Goals

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquamarine Stewardship Council (ASC) UK Awards serve as a significant platform for recognizing and promoting business practices that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2025 awards highlight corporate contributions towards key objectives, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Case Study: The Scrap Box’s Contribution to Sustainable Consumption

The Scrap Box, a food establishment in Dunnington, was awarded MSC Newcomer of the Year 2025. This recognition underscores the vital role of small and medium-sized enterprises in advancing the sustainability agenda. The establishment’s success is directly linked to its strategic initiatives that support several SDGs.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The Scrap Box actively influenced consumer behaviour through targeted campaigns.
  1. A social media video series, “Will It Fry?”, reached over 200,000 viewers, educating the public on diverse MSC-certified species.
  2. The “Saithe September” initiative encouraged customers to try a lesser-known, sustainable fish species, promoting diversification of consumption and reducing pressure on more common stocks.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: By achieving MSC certification within its first year, the business demonstrated a foundational commitment to sourcing seafood exclusively from sustainable, well-managed fisheries, thereby contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Owner Aman Dhesi’s statement, “sustainability and tradition really can go hand in hand,” illustrates how integrating sustainable practices can foster economic viability and success for independent businesses.

Broader Industry Impact and Alignment with Global Goals

The awards recognized a range of stakeholders across the supply chain, indicating a sector-wide movement towards sustainability. Each winner’s achievements correspond with specific SDG targets.

• Fish City (Belfast): Awarded MSC UK Marketing Champion for effective promotion of sustainable seafood awareness among staff and customers, directly supporting SDG 12.
• Brakes and M&J (Sysco GB): Named MSC UK Foodservice Supplier of the Year, highlighting their role in building responsible supply chains, a core component of SDG 12.
• Tesco: Received the Supermarket of the Year award for expanding its range of MSC-labelled products, leveraging its market scale to advance responsible consumption patterns (SDG 12).
• Poole Harbour Clam and Cockle Fishery: Won the MSC UK Ocean Leadership Award for its innovative use of drone technology to monitor and protect marine stocks. This action is a direct and impactful contribution to the conservation targets of SDG 14 and protects the livelihoods of permitted fishermen, aligning with SDG 8.

Conclusion: Partnerships for Sustainable Marine Ecosystems

The collective efforts of the 2025 MSC and ASC UK Award winners exemplify SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The collaboration between certification bodies, fisheries, suppliers, restaurants, and retailers is crucial for driving systemic change. These initiatives demonstrate a powerful commitment across the UK food industry to protect marine biodiversity (SDG 14) while fostering sustainable economic models (SDG 8 and SDG 12).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This goal is central to the article, which focuses on the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) awards. The MSC’s mission is to end overfishing and ensure sustainable seafood supplies for the future. The article discusses MSC certification, sustainable seafood, protecting fish stocks, and preserving marine environments, all of which are core components of SDG 14.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article highlights efforts to change consumer habits and promote sustainable supply chains. The Scrap Box’s campaigns, such as the “Will It Fry?” video series and “Saithe September,” are designed to educate consumers and encourage them to choose sustainable options. This directly relates to ensuring sustainable consumption patterns. Furthermore, companies like Tesco increasing their range of MSC-labelled products demonstrates a shift in production and retail towards sustainability.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article shows how sustainability can be a driver for economic success. The owner of The Scrap Box states, “independents can thrive — and that sustainability and tradition really can go hand in hand.” This illustrates that adopting sustainable practices can build a trusted brand, attract customers, and lead to business growth, contributing to local economic development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.4: “By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices…” The entire concept of MSC certification, which The Scrap Box has achieved, is a market-based tool designed to meet this target by rewarding sustainable fishing practices and helping to restore fish stocks.
   • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems…” The mention of the Poole Harbour Clam and Cockle Fishery winning an award for its “innovative use of drones to protect stocks… and its unique marine environment” is a direct example of actions taken to achieve this target.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.8: “By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.” The Scrap Box’s video series and its campaign to encourage customers to try a lesser-known sustainable species (“Saithe September”) are explicit efforts to educate the public and raise awareness, directly aligning with this target.
   • Target 12.6: “Encourage companies… to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.” The MSC awards program encourages companies to adopt and publicize their sustainable practices. The article highlights several businesses (The Scrap Box, Fish City, Tesco) being recognized for their commitment to sustainability, which serves as a form of public reporting and promotion of these practices.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: “Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation…” The Scrap Box’s success demonstrates innovation within a traditional industry. By building its brand on the foundation of sustainability and using creative social media campaigns, it has achieved growth and recognition, showing how focusing on high-value, sustainable practices can boost economic productivity.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 14

  The article implies progress towards Indicator 14.4.1 (Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels). The use of “MSC-certified species” is a direct reference to fish sourced from stocks that are managed sustainably. The number of businesses becoming MSC certified, like The Scrap Box, can serve as a proxy indicator for the growth of sustainable fishing practices.

• Indicators for SDG 12

  The article provides specific, quantifiable data related to Indicator 12.8.1 (Extent to which education for sustainable development is mainstreamed). The “over 200,000 views” of the “Will It Fry?” video series is a direct measure of the reach of educational content aimed at consumers. Additionally, Tesco’s progress in “increasing the number of its MSC labelled products and volume sold” is a clear indicator of the integration of sustainable products into mainstream retail, related to Indicator 12.2.1 (Material footprint), as it reflects a shift towards more sustainably sourced materials.

• Indicators for SDG 8

  While no specific numerical indicators are given, the article implies progress through qualitative evidence. The Scrap Box winning the “MSC Newcomer of the Year 2025” award is an indicator of a successful and growing business. The owner’s statement that the business can “thrive” by being sustainable suggests positive economic performance, which is the essence of the goal.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: uk.news.yahoo.com