A word about sustainable sourcing…………..

Atlantic cod stocks were severely overfished in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to their abrupt collapse in 1992, however recent reports (2010) indicate that the cod stocks may be on the up again

Overfishing occurs when fishing activities reduce fish stocks below an acceptable level. This can occur in any body of water from a pond to the oceans.

Sustainable seafood is a movement that has gained momentum as more people become aware about overfishing and environmentally destructive fishing methods. Sustainable seafood is seafood from either fished or farmed sources that can maintain or increase production in the future without jeopardizing the ecosystems from which it was acquired. In general, slow-growing fish that reproduce late in life, such as orange roughy, are vulnerable to overfishing. Seafood species that grow quickly and breed young, such as anchovies and sardines, are much more resistant to overfishing. Several organizations, including the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), and Friends of the Sea, certify seafood fisheries as sustainable.

MSC ecolabel for sustainable seafood The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has developed an environmental standard for sustainable and well-managed fisheries.

Consumers concerned about overfishing and its consequences, and increasingly want to be able to choose seafood products which have been independently assessed against the MSC’s environmental standard. This enables consumers to play a part in reversing the decline of fish stocks.

Fish & Kids is an MSC project to teach schoolchildren about marine environmental issues, including overfishing. Raising awareness about this can forge links with the local community.