Supermarkets dropping unsustainable shrimp

Large prawns not WWF-approved to be pulled from shelves

Large warm water prawns, often called tiger shrimp or tiger prawns, are one of the most popular frozen seafoods in Denmark. Some 5,000 tonnes of the tasty crustaceans were imported in 2012, many of which were reared under questionable circumstances.

But, starting in mid-April, all prawns sold in shops operated by Dansk Supermarked, including Netto, Bilka and Føtex stores, will be certified by the WWF’s Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

“That means that the conditions under which the prawns are produced are monitored by an independent third party,” Dansk Supermarked spokesperson Helene Regnell told Politiken newspaper.

Few farms make the grade
The ASC is an initiative of the WWF, and is recognised as the most sustainable certification of fish and seafood farms. 

Prawn farmers in Southeast Asia have only recently started to meet the requirements for the certificate, which include restricting the use of antibiotics, avoiding stressed and sick fish coming in contact with wild populations and limiting the consumption of fresh water and energy.

The production of tiger prawns occurs primarily in marsh and coastal areas in Vietnam, China, Bangladesh and Thailand. The methods used by producers have been under attack for several years.

Prawns on drugs
In 2012, a batch of imported Vietnamese prawns examined by European food authorities tested positive for a dangerous antibiotic.

The intensive production methods used by the farms require large quantities of drugs and antibiotics to avoid the prawns becoming infected with diseases. 

Despite the warnings, supermarkets in Denmark were reluctant to stop selling prawns.

“Prawns are very popular among our customers, but we are also concerned for the environment, so we are glad that we can now offer ASC certified prawns,” said Regnell.

Coop not on board…yet
After the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation in 2012 ran a campaign focusing on the negative impact of warm water shrimp farming, Coop in Sweden banned the sale of prawns in 700 shops. 

Danish Coop stores, which, among others, include Kvickly, Fakta and SuperBrugsen, have kept uncertified prawns on the shelves.

“Our plan is eventually to have ASC certified prawns, but we do not have a precise date as to when we can fulfil that plan,” Coop spokesperson Jens Juul Nielsen told Politiken. “We cannot currently buy enough ASC-labeled shrimp to cover the demand.”

Gitte Seeberg,the secretary general of WWF, is thrilled that Dansk Supermarked is going with certified prawns.

READ MORE: WWF's fish guide red flags Danish prawns

It would be great if everyone did what Dansk Supermarked is doing,” she said.

TOP STORIES

  • Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Experts believe it takes seven years to move into a new culture, according to leading Danish psychologist Jette Simon and therapist Vibeke Hartkorn. For expat couples, the challenges of starting a new life together in Denmark can put pressure on relationships, but emotions-focused therapy can help.

  • More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    Politicians debate a lot these days about when you can retire. The reality shows that an increasing number of Danes like to work, even if they can withdraw from the labor market. Financial incentives help.

  • Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Canadian-born environmental activist Paul Watson has been in prison in Greenland for almost 100 days awaiting an extradition decision for a 14-year-old offence against a Japanese whaling vessel that he calls a “minor misdemeanor”. The 73-year-old had previously passed through Ireland, Switzerland, Monaco, France and the USA without trouble, before Greenlandic police arrested him in July.

  • Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    When the Danish government in January presented the first of its schemes to make it easier to recruit foreign labour from outside the EU, it was hailed by the healthcare and service sectors as a timely and important policy shift. But while healthcare changes have been forthcoming, the service sector is still struggling, say the directors of the industry association Dansk Industri and one of the country’s largest private employers ISS.

  • Jacob Mark had it all coming in rising SF party – now he quits

    Jacob Mark had it all coming in rising SF party – now he quits

    SF became Denmark’s largest party in the EP elections in June. In polls, the left-wing party is breathing down Socialdemokratiet’s neck. It is a tremendous place to be next in line in Danish politics. But today, 33-year-old Jacob Mark announced he is quitting politics at the threshold of the door of power.

  • EU leaders toughen stance on return of irregular migrants

    EU leaders toughen stance on return of irregular migrants

    EU leaders agreed last week to speed up returns of migrants irregularly entering the bloc. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is pleased, describing Denmark’s previous attempts to pitch a stricter asylum and migration policy to the EU as “like shouting into an empty handball hall in Jutland”. But not all leaders are enthusiastic.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.

  • Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality, home to Denmark’s largest infrastructure project – the Fehmarnbelt tunnel connection to Germany – has launched a new jobseeker support package for the accompanying partners of international employees in the area. The job-to-partner package offers free tailored sessions on finding a job and starting a personal business.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs