Abel & Cole has made a significant decision to cease sourcing sea-farmed salmon, reflecting an evolving landscape of sustainability scrutiny within the aquaculture industry. This move aligns with the company’s long-standing commitment to ethical sourcing and environmental stewardship, as demonstrated by its B Corp certification since 2018, which underscores its dedication to rigorous social and ecological standards. Founded in 1988 as a humble potato delivery service, Abel & Cole has expanded its offerings to encompass a wide array of organic products while aiming to cut its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. The retailer's plans to transition to electric delivery vans in urban areas by 2025 further illustrate its commitment to minimising environmental impact.

The decision resonates amid growing awareness of the inherent issues with farmed salmon. A report by the Dutch NGO Changing Markets highlights troubling practices within the industry, where salmon certified as sustainable often contributes to the depletion of marine ecosystems. The feeding of farmed fish with fishmeal and fish oil derived from unsustainable practices has raised alarms about the broader repercussions on wild fish populations globally. This has prompted a request for greater transparency and accountability within the sector, as many retailers struggle to ensure that their seafood sourcing practices genuinely reflect sustainability.

Sustainability experts have emphasised various serious concerns related to fish farming. The Sustainable Restaurant Association has critiqued the industry for high mortality rates, the prevalence of parasitic sea lice, and the pollution of marine environments. These challenges underscore a pressing need for industry-wide reforms aimed at enhancing the sustainability of salmon farming. The “Off The Table” campaign advocates for restaurants to reject open-net farmed salmon, citing environmental degradation as an urgent reason to re-evaluate current sourcing practices.

Further exacerbating the situation is the recent controversy surrounding misleading sustainability claims made by retailers like Selfridges. The store promoted their salmon as sustainably sourced and reared in closed-loop systems; however, investigations revealed that the fish was derived from open cages in coastal waters, a practice that raises serious environmental and ethical concerns. This incident underscores the importance of consumer awareness and the need for rigorous standards in the marketing of seafood products.

In an echo of Abel & Cole’s decision, Chris Packham, president of the RSPCA, has publicly urged other food industry players, including restaurant chains like Wagamama, to discontinue their use of farmed salmon, labelling it an “environmental disaster”. His appeal reflects mounting pressure from environmental organisations urging businesses to scrutinise their sourcing choices more diligently, particularly in relation to fish sourced from vulnerable fisheries.

The narrative surrounding farmed salmon is one of growing concern and calls for reform. As Abel & Cole takes a bold stance in favour of sustainability, it may well influence the wider industry to reassess its practices in the face of increasing environmental accountability.

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Source: Noah Wire Services