Fish and shellfish policy

The nutritional importance of fish is great. Nutrition recommendations urge us to eat varying species of fish 2-3 times a week, because fish is a good source of protein, polyunsaturated fats and vitamin D.

Natural fish stocks have declined due to, among other things, overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and the pollution and littering of oceans. Many species that used to be common have become endangered. In order to replace natural fish, the cultivation of many fish and shellfish species has increased. The relative amount of aquaculture in the farming of fish and shellfish is approximately half of the total global fish farming at the moment. 

Fish and shellfish policy

The selections of Kesko’s grocery trade, Kespro, Kalatukku E. Eriksson and K-food stores do not contain such species rated red in the traffic light rating system of WWF Finland's Seafood Guide (in Finnish) which do not have the MSC or ASC certificate.

Kesko’s grocery trade, Kespro, Kalatukku E. Eriksson and K-food stores favour species with a green rating in their selections. Sustainable fish stocks and MSC and ASC certified suppliers are preferred when making selection decisions. K-food stores have 85 MSC and ASC certified fish counters. Kespro and Kalatukku E. Eriksson have been granted the MSC and ASC certificates.

Scope of application and updating

The statement is applied to Kesko grocery trade’s, Kespro's, Kalatukku E. Eriksson's and K-food stores' purchasing of fish, shellfish and products with fish as the main ingredient.

When recommendations change, changes are made within the limits of purchase agreement periods.

The statement is reviewed and updated as necessary, but at least every two years.

Compliance aids

WWF Finland's Seafood Guide (in Finnish)

Other sources of information

In case a fish species is not included in WWF Finland's Seafood Guide, Marine Conservation Society's Good Fish Guide and possible other sources of information are used for monitoring.

The fish and shellfish statement was published on 11 November 2008 and last reviewed on 8 March 2022.

Progress of the objectives of the fish and shellfish policy in 2023

The retail selection of Kesko’s grocery trade included 331 MSC certified fish products and 120 ASC certified products. Kespro’s selections had 328 MSC certified products and 67 ASC certified products.

88 K-food stores had fish counters with the MSC and ASC traceability certificate, which promotes sustainable fishing and aquaculture.

Progress in 2019-2023: