Seafood lovers can now, for the first time, easily find their nearest fish and chip shop serving sustainable seafood with a new digital list launched by the MSC UK today (Friday 17 September) as a celebration for Sustainable Seafood Week.
Around 80 fish and chips shops from Northern Scotland down to Devon and Cornwall have been certified as sustainable to the Marine Steward Council’s standard for sustainable fishing.
From these, eleven fish and chip shops have been named as regional heroes for “going above and beyond” in putting sustainability at the heart of their businesses
During Sustainable Seafood Week, (September 16 to 24) which is being supported by retailers and brands including Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Bird’s Eye, the Co-op and Young’s, consumers are being urged to choose seafood products with the blue MSC ecolabel on and this includes MSC certified fish and chips.
The label means the consumer can trust where the fish or seafood has come from while ensuring there will be plenty of fish left in the sea for future generations.
Millers in Haxby, York, is a fourth-generation family run fish and chip shop who often use their platform to raise awareness about the importance of serving sustainable seafood using the blue MSC ecolabel.
“Being MSC certified sends out a really strong message that people want to hear,” says Nick Miller. “It says that, as a fish and chip shop, you are doing the right thing – not just by the environment we live in now, but for future generations.”
Lee Penaluna, from Penaluna’s Famous Fish & Chips in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, says:
“Why wouldn’t you consider sustainability over the alternative? Why would you want to exhaust the products that serve your business?
“As a regional hero, it falls on us to continue promoting all the best practices of the industry and to promote quality fish and chips which you can only get by using quality products.”
Kyriacos Karoulla, from Brockley’s Rock, in London, says: “Healthy oceans are vitally important to us while continuing with the nation’s iconic fish and chips heritage. This should be top of agenda for all serving fish not just chippies alone.”
Loren Hiller, MSC Commercial Manager, UK & Ireland, said: “Fish and chip shops play a vital role in educating their customers about sustainable fish and chips and we’re excited to be able to launch this list today showing exactly where seafood lovers can find their nearest sustainable fish supper.
“We’re asking everyone to join the national sustainable seafood movement. We can only make a difference if we all play a part.”
MSC UK is hosting a series of activities for Sustainable Seafood Week, including Sustainable Seafood Suppers with top British UK chefs showing how to make a variety of delicious sustainable seafood meals, for the whole family to enjoy. Chefs Mitch Tonks, James Strawbridge and Elizabeth Haigh will host ocean-themed cooking classes and share their top culinary tips. One third of fisheries around the world have been fished beyond sustainable limits, and a further 60% are fished to their maximum capacity. Some 7 in 10 (72%) of seafood consumers agree that in order to save the ocean, we have to consume fish and seafood only from sustainable sources, according to research conducted for MSC by independent research consultancy, GlobeScan. Choosing the blue MSC ecolabel is an easy way for consumers to help safeguard seafood supplies for the future and keep the oceans teeming with life.