Sustainability

Our Commitment

 

Woolworths Group is committed to improving the sustainability of seafood in our supply chain. Ecologically responsible aquaculture is critical to reduce the environmental impacts of farmed seafood, while safeguarding people and animal welfare. A priority must be placed on fishing more sustainably to support fish stocks and marine ecosystems regeneration, and to continue to provide for future generations. Woolworths Group supports seafood producers who are doing the right thing, by protecting our marine and freshwater ecosystems. 

 

Own Brand Sourcing

 

In the last year, we completed our transition of all Woolworths Own Brand behind the counter, fresh packaged, frozen and canned seafood to come from ecologically responsible sources, as defined in our Woolworths Group Seafood Sourcing Policy. 

As part of our Sustainability Plan 2025 we will continue on this journey to transition seafood as an ingredient to be ecologically responsible by 2025.

Whenever you see our Woolworths Responsibly Sourced symbol, you know that the seafood you are buying comes from ecologically responsible sources and meets the requirements laid out in our Woolworths Seafood Sourcing Policy. 

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Responsibly Sourced

 

For more information see our Woolworths Group Seafood Sourcing Policy here.

Farmed Seafood

We are committed to responsible aquaculture farming practices, safeguarding people, environment and animals.

We will preferentially source farmed seafood that is: 

The following additional sourcing requirements apply to farmed seafood products that carry the ASC logo:

  • Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified and assessed against the ASC Chain of Custody Standard.

We are proud to celebrate our Woolworths Smoked Oysters for receiving the highly commended Best Responsible Seafood Product - ASC award, in the Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia 2021.

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MSC
 
Wild-Caught Seafood

We are committed to responsible fish stock management and catching methods that minimise habitat changes, bycatch and discards.

We will preferentially source wild-caught seafood that is: 

The following additional sourcing requirements apply to wild-caught seafood products that carry the MSC logo: 

  • Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified and assessed against the MSC Chain of Custody Standard.

Woolworths has been announced as the MSC Sustainable Seafood Community Champion in the Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia 2022. 

This award recognises that Woolworths:

  • uses the MSC blue fish tick visibly and correctly;
  • encourages staff to talk with pride and knowledge about sustainability;
  • promotes its sustainability commitments;
  • has demonstrated support to their local community as a result of their commitment to MSC certification.
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MSC
MSC

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit on a mission to end overfishing that set standards for sustainable fishing and traceability within the seafood supply chain.

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msc
 

When you see the MSC blue fish tick on a wild-caught seafood product or menu, it can be traced back to an MSC certified sustainable fishery. By looking at each fishery individually using science, fisheries prove and improve their sustainability performance.

There's a wide variety of wild-caught sustainable seafood with the MSC blue fish tick label available at Woolworths. This includes family favourites such as sustainable tuna, sustainable salmon, and sustainable prawns.

Skipjack and Yellowfin Tuna

The following sourcing requirements apply to Own Brand ambient tuna products:

  • Preferential sourcing of MSC certified tuna harvested through FAD Free and/or Pole & Line fishing methods.
  • In the absence of the above, tuna will be harvested through FAD Free and/or Pole & Line fishing methods from:
    • ‘Comprehensive’ FIPs with progress rating of A or B (www.fisheryprogress.org); or
    • Suppliers that are participating companies in the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF)
      • Via membership of the International Seafood Sustainability Association (ISSA);
      • With no ‘major’ non-conformances identified in their annual audit report;
      • Only sourcing from vessels listed on the ISSF Proactive Vessel Register (PVR).

 

Woolworths Ocean Pool Fund

 

Woolworths Ocean Pool Fund’s mission is to help support the environmental performance of the Australian Seafood Industry through traceability, data capture, certification, process improvements and education. The Fund, developed in collaboration with WWF, is part of our partnership to support our suppliers on their journey towards a more sustainable seafood industry. 

Woolworths Ocean Pool Fund returned in 2022 for a second year and has awarded funds to a further three projects to support:

  • Monitoring habitat of ocean floor
  • Reduction of waste water in seafood manufacture
  • Animal welfare research in fish farming

Woolworths Ocean Pool Fund was launched in 2021 with $160,000 to award. The Fund received an outstanding calibre of applications, and awarded funds to three suppliers to help support the environmental performance of the Australian Seafood Industry in the areas of:

  • Third party MSC certification
  • Shelf life extension and plastic reduction in seafood manufacturing
  • Bird exclusion technology in fish farming

 

Woolworths and WWF-Australia

 

Woolworths recognises WWF as one of the world’s most trusted and recognised brands, Australia’s most trusted environmental organisation and leading authorities on seafood and marine sustainability. Because of this, WWF is well placed to advise Woolworths and help engage all involved in the seafood sourcing industry - including fishers, fish farmers, suppliers, scientists, government, other conservation organisations and customers - to encourage positive change.

WWF

Woolworths and WWF-Australia established a partnership in 2018 and through this WWF will provide us with technical advice on the sustainability of Woolworths’ seafood supply chain, as well as strategic recommendations to transition Woolworths’ seafood supply chain to more sustainable sources. More specifically WWF-Australia will: 

  • provide advice on Woolworths sustainable seafood policies, 
  • coordinate assessments of Woolworths’ seafood sources using WWF’s Ecological Sustainability Evaluation of Seafood (ESES) methodology
  • Based on the outcome of the assessments, provide recommendations to help Woolworths source seafood more sustainably
  • support the implementation of projects to improve the sustainability of fisheries and farms from which we source seafood
  • support Woolworths’ labelling initiatives and traceability pilots and case studies 
  • provide support to Woolworths’ supplier engagement regarding sustainable sourcing

For our progress against this goal, see our 2023 Sustainability Report. For more information on our metrics, see our 2023 Sustainability Data Pack.

 

About us

 

We are on a mission to deliver the best in convenience, value and quality for our customers.

Postal Address

PO Box 8000

Baulkham Hills

NSW 2153

Street Address

1 Woolworths Way

Bella Vista

NSW 2153

Privacy Office

PO Box 8000

Baulkham Hills

NSW 2153

 

Phone

1300 908 631
 

Email

privacy@woolworths.com.au

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Woolworths Group acknowledges the many Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We recognise their strengths and enduring connection to lands, waters and skies as the Custodians of the oldest continuing cultures on the planet. 

 

 

Woolworths Group supports the invitation set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart to walk together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are committed to actively contributing to Australia’s reconciliation journey through listening and learning, empowering more diverse voices, caring deeply for our communities and working together for a better tomorrow.

 

Read more about our commitment to reconciliation

 

 

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