A recent complaint by the charity Open Seas to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has highlighted environmental concerns regarding the sourcing of scampi. The charity claims that the popular seafood product is sourced in a manner causing extensive environmental damage.

The Issue of Sustainability

Open Seas disputes the sustainability of scampi, asking the CMA to investigate supermarkets’ claims that their scampi is “responsibly sourced.” According to the charity, the method of trawling the seabed with heavy nets to catch langoustines, which are primarily used for scampi, causes substantial environmental harm. The practice often results in bycatch, where other marine life is caught and wastefully discarded.

The British Retail Consortium has responded by stating that retailers are working closely with suppliers to meet customer expectations on sustainability. They assert that retailers are committed to responsibly sourcing scampi. However, Open Seas argues that labeling the product as “responsibly sourced” violates CMA guidelines, which mandate that marketing claims be truthful, accurate, and clear.

Impact of Trawling on Marine Life

Nick Underdown, head of campaigns at Open Seas, emphasizes the lack of effective vessel tracking to mitigate the harmful effects of trawling. He points out that while a vessel monitoring system exists, there is no mechanism to monitor the composition of catches. The bycatch often includes small animals and fish, negatively impacting their populations and disrupting marine ecosystems.

Underdown criticizes the industry for not adhering to scientific advice and for damaging fragile marine habitats through trawling. He contends that the current methods of producing scampi display traits of an irresponsible fishery. The charity’s complaint to the CMA highlights the ambiguity of the term “responsible,” which they argue is defined by a self-interested industry group without aligning with international standards for responsible seafood.

Industry-Led Improvement Projects

Whitby Seafoods, the UK’s largest scampi manufacturer, claims involvement in an industry-led Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) overseen by Project UK. This initiative is funded by various industry stakeholders, including major supermarkets. Despite this, Underdown expresses concern over inaccurate self-reporting and the lack of significant progress within the FIP for the scampi industry.

Several major supermarkets have responded to the criticism by emphasizing their commitment to sustainability. Morrisons, for example, uses third-party certification to ensure its fisheries are credible and sustainable. Sainsbury’s highlights its various accolades, including one from the Marine Stewardship Council. M&S participates in multiple Fisheries Improvement Projects and sits on the Board of Trustees for Fisheries Innovation Scotland. Young’s and Tesco also collaborate with sustainability organizations, while the Co-op works with independent schemes to verify its seafood sustainability.