Devon fish and chip shop batters the competition for a sustainable fish supper

Leading marine charities applaud Plymouth business as it scoops another seafood award

Plymouth fish and chip shop, Kingfisher Fish and Chips, has won the Good Catch Award at this year’s national Fish and Chip shop of the Year Awards. It is the latest award for Kingfisher, hailed last year as “the best fish and chip shop in the world for sustainable fish.”

It’s doubly good news for the Devon city, with fellow Plymouth chippy and newcomers to the award, Harbourside Fish and Chips, being named runners up, along with Olley’s Fish Experience, from Herne Hill, London, who were also runners up in 2014.

The Good Catch Award is sponsored by the UK’s leading marine charities, The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The award aims to encourage sustainable sourcing in the fish and chip shop industry and helps diners to eat fish from sustainable sources.

The Good Catch Award rewards fish and chip shops that have made a conscious effort to change the way in which they responsibly source and promote their fish and in doing so, help protect the industry for the future.

MCS Fisheries Officer, Samuel Stone, who was on the Good Catch judging panel along with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), says what Kingfisher have managed to achieve on both a local and global stage is the future of fish and chips: “Kingfisher are selling 13 MSC certified fish species and 14 that are green rated on the MCS Fish to Eat list. This shows a massive commitment to sustainability and traceability. Kingfisher are also working hard on promoting the importance of sustainability through a very informative website, social media, instore promotion and local community engagement.”

Presenting the award, George Clark, from the Marine Stewardship Council explained, ““This year’s entries have proven once again how progressive the fish and chip industry is when it comes to good sourcing practices. The very best in the UK have shown that the sky’s the limit when it comes to giving their customers fully traceable and sustainable fish suppers. A huge congratulations to Kingfisher for leading the pack!”