MSC map helps staycationers choose sustainable seafood
The Marine Stewardship Council has launched a digital map pinpointing the
UK and Ireland’s certified sustainable fisheries in a bid to encourage staycationers to try out the local seafood at their holidays spots.
The online map features 17 fisheries including the Burry Inlet in South Wales and the Dee Estuary in north Wales where cockles can be found, as well as sardines and hake in Cornwall, clams from Poole Harbour in Dorset, herring and mussels in Ireland, and haddock, crab, scallops and mussels in Scotland.
Also provided is information on the history of each species as well as the fishing methods.
The initiative is supported by Calum Richardson, owner of the Bay, in Stonehaven, Scotland, Mitch Tonks, co-founder of Rockfish in Devon and Dorset, and Cornish chef, food photographer and author James Strawbridge.
Calum Richardson, owner of the Bay, the first chippy to serve MSC certified Scottish haddock, says: “We wanted to offer our customers Scottish haddock and the fishery’s MSC certification reassured us that in doing so, we would be helping to protect fish stocks and the long-term livelihoods of Scottish fishing communities. Our customers are looking for sustainable, local fish and chips and I am proud to source from a sustainable, well managed fishery.”
Mitch Tonks adds: “I love to source local wherever possible across my restaurants and this map will make it easier for diners to find out about different sustainable species when on holiday this year. We’re very lucky that our restaurant at Poole Quay is so close to the MSC certified clam and cockle fishery.
“Clams have such a lovey meaty texture and a fresh salty sea taste that is packed with flavour, I like using the smaller ones for cooking with spaghetti and the larger ones in a simple chowder.”
James Strawbridge says the new map is a perfect way to tap into local knowledge, pick up some fishy facts and learn more about sustainable fish from our UK fisheries. He comments: “When friends and chefs visit me in Cornwall, I always point them in the direction of Cornish hake or some fresh Cornish sardines and now with this map you can make your way around the coast of the UK. I think this will massively change the way we buy fish and engage with suppliers around the UK.”
Katie Keay, MSC senior fisheries outreach manager, UK & Ireland, says she hopes the new map will encourage seafood lovers to try out different species when on holidays across the UK this year.