News
Seafood app wins gold award
Good Fish Guide App that helps makes sustainable fish choices simple gets design award
The Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Good Fish Guide app is a 2016 Gold winner in the prestigious London Design Awards, which recognise creativity and leading design across a range of categories.
The Good Fish Guide app aims to help consumers make environmentally sound seafood choices by listing fish alongside their MCS Fish to Eat or Fish to Avoid rating – red, green or amber (eat only occasionally).
With funding from the UK’s largest food and support services firm, Compass Group UK and Ireland, MCS worked with Brighton-based Brightec, a mobile app development company to build a version of their web based and paper pocket guide.
The brief was to create an App that would help customers make informed decisions when choosing fish at a restaurant, or at the fish counter in the local supermarket. The App would need to interact with a large and complex dataset but still look like a simple, user-friendly, ethical ‘pocket guide’ consumer app.
Andy Ferrett, Managing Director of Brightec, said: “It is always our pleasure to work with value driven organisations such as the Marine Conservation Society. We believe the ‘Good Fish Guide’ app is not just an excellent iOS & Android app but also an important tool in the fight for sustainability.”
Richard Harrington, MCS Head of Communications said: “There’s so much to choosing sustainable fish than just ratings. The Brightec-produced App boasts regular contributions of new seafood recipes from top chefs and celebrities which are displayed so the fish chosen are always in season and rated 1-3. There’s also a size guide to help people spot immature fish that are being sold before they’ve had a chance to breed. And information on labelling will help you identify the best eco-labels for fish and the information retailers and fishmongers need to be supplying to allow consumers to make informed choices. We’re delighted how the app looks and are thrilled that as developers, Brightec have been recognised.”
The App uses a simple traffic light system providing users with an at-a-glance guide to which fish species are at risk and should be avoided – based on present fish sustainability. Diners can also find restaurants that claim to have great sustainable credentials on an easy to use map where MCS reveals what they think about the eatery’s sustainability along with a rating from Fish2fork, the sustainable seafood restaurant ratings website.
Duncan Gray, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “When it comes to seafood we know that a great dish must be both delicious and sustainable. We promise not to serve fish from the MSC fish to avoid list and buy more sustainable seafood every year. Funding this app will help keep consumers informed about how to eat great seafood ethically and we’re delighted to have been able to help support it.”
MCS sustainable seafood work is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said “It is great to see a whole range of new resources giving people the power to make their own choices on which seafood to eat. The Good Fish Guide App is really exciting, giving instant advice on what to eat and how to cook it, whether you’re shopping for the family in the supermarket or looking for a place to eat out. I’m delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are able to support this initiative.”
The app has received praise from all quarters, including the influential Creative Review.
The Good Fish Guide App is free on both iphone and android at www.goodfishguide.org.
Find out more about the Marine Conservation Society at www.mcsuk.org.
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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