MSC UK Foodservice Champion of the Year – Pete Fraser from Cornwall’s Harbour Lights and Fraser’s

Pete Fraser, owner of award-winning Harbour Lights and Fraser’s Fish and Chips in Cornwall, has been named Foodservice Champion at MSC UK’s annual awards in a virtual live-streamed ceremony from the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. 

The award for MSC UK Foodservice Champion of the Year recognises an individual or foodservice business that has gone above and beyond serving MSC labelled products on their menus and demonstrated exceptional leadership in championing seafood sustainability. Both independent establishments, including fish and chip shops, and chain restaurants were eligible in this category. 

Due to social distancing restrictions, this year’s MSC UK awards were held virtually on September 30 with a streamed ceremony from the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. Guest speakers included Mitch Tonks, MSC ambassador and award-winning restaurateur, Peter Buckland, fisherman from the MSC Cornish sardine fishery, and Tommy Russell, from the Poole Harbour Clam & Cockle Fishery as well as Luke Pollard, the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 

Pete Fraser, the owner of the two establishments, said: “I am totally thrilled and humbled to be named as MSC Foodservice Champion for 2020. At Harbour Lights in Falmouth and Fraser’s in Penzance, I am sure a major part of our business growth has been, from early on, taking environmentally friendly fish buying decisions.  

“MSC is the gold standard for choosing sustainably sourced fish. Wherever you see their ecolabel, you can buy with total confidence. On a personal note, I am particularly excited that there are now over 100 fish and chips shops throughout the UK, that have joined us in obtaining MSC certification.” 

Loren Hiller, Senior Commercial Officer, UK & Ireland, said:   “It’s our collective responsibility to make sure our oceans are teeming with life forever, but we couldn’t do it without inspiring individuals like Pete Fraser who go above and beyond just using the blue label on the. His commitment to sustainable sourcing, promoting MSC species, finding plastic packaging alternatives for fish boxes and educating the next generation exceeds expectations. Pete is a worthy winner of this award and should be proud for what he has achieved. We thank him for his continued support as a custodian of the oceans.” 

Frasers were judged to be winners owing to how well they inform customers about the sustainable credentials of their menu, including the journey of fish from catch to plate. Responsible sourcing, including promoting MSC certified species is key to their business ethos. The team will always endeavour to have at least three MSC certified fish on the menu and Frasers fish and chips often host sustainability workshops with their neighbouring primary schools.  

The winners’ striking award, depicting a sea full of schooling fish, was designed and manufactured using 3D printing by Cornish-based J Supplied 3D. It was made in collaboration with Fishy Filaments, who recycle fishing nets used by fishermen at the MSC certified hake fishery in Cornwall into engineering grade nylon filament. Fishy Filaments’ innovative harbour-side recycling technology was invented in Cornwall, just down the road from Pete’s shop, Frasers Fish and Chips. Using this 100% recycled material saves about 98% of the carbon emissions of using equivalent virgin material. 

MSC UK Awards 2020 Full list of winners: 

MSC UK Foodservice Champion of the Year: Pete Fraser – Harbour Lights and Frasers 

MSC UK Menu of the Year: Lussmanns Sustainable Fish and Grill 

MSC UK Foodservice Wholesaler of the Year: Brakes and M&J 

MSC UK Fresh Fish Foodservice Supplier of the Year:  The Stickleback Fish Company Ltd 

MSC UK University of the?Year: Durham University  

MSC?UK?Supermarket of the Year: Sainsbury’s 

MSC UK Mid-size Store Retailer of the Year: Lidl 

MSC UK Fish Counter of the Year: Waitrose & Partners 

MSC UK Newcomer of the Year: Iceland  

MSC UK Retail Supplier of the Year: New England Seafood International  

MSC UK Canned Brand of the Year: John West 

MSC UK Frozen Brand of the Year: Birds Eye 

MSC UK Marketing Champion of the Year: Lidl 

MSC UK Ocean Hero: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)