Turning the tide - Addressing the impact of fisheries on the marine environment

01 January 2005

In response to the findings of the recent report issued by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP), the Frozen at Sea Fillets Association (FASFA) is keen to highlight that all cod and haddock that it supplies is caught outside the much troubled waters of the North Sea.

FASFA is speaking out in its own defence and that of its core market of fish and chip shops, which employs over 500,000 in the UK – more than the entire population of the city of Manchester.

FASFA members supply over 80% of the cod and haddock served in UK chip shops and stresses that all is caught in the well stocked, carefully managed waters of Iceland and the Barents Sea in the most environmentally sound way.

In fact, these rigorous fisheries management policies have been so successful that quotas have been increased for the next twelve months.

And only earlier this year did a report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) highlight that the Barents Sea ‘appears to be healthy.’

The standards which have been developed in Norway and Iceland are now being introduced to the North Sea and are already showing positive benefits - indicating a brighter, more positive future for cod stocks globally.

Consistent in quality, taste and supply, frozen at sea fillets have filled the gap for fish and chip shop operators as insufficient quantities of cod or haddock are available in the waters regulated by the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy.

In brief, only 3% of the world’s cod comes from the North Sea, so not eating fish and chips will have absolutely no impact whatsoever on its stocks.

And despite TV Chef Rick Stein urging consumers to buy fish species that are not under threat, research shows that tastes of UK consumers are not yet sufficiently developed to try these other, more ‘unusual’ species.

And in an age of obesity - when healthy eating is to be vehemently encouraged - we must continue to develop and grow fish consumption so as for our tastes to develop. This will have a hugely positive impact on the UK fishing industry as a whole, as we move on to those that are in great supply in our coastal waters – such as herring, as recommended by Mr Stein. 

In light of this report by the RCEP, FASFA urges consumers to be aware of the source of fish, as only through education can informed decisions be made over what to eat. Initiatives such as the ‘green’ labelling system by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) are to be applauded.