News
There’s always a catch when it comes to sustainable seafood
Latest Marine Conservation Society seafood ratings highlight why consumers must demand more information
Seafood is a tasty and popular choice whether chosen off the menu, at the supermarket or down the chip shop, and consumers are increasingly aware of the need to buy sustainably.
But, in the absence of clear labelling, working out if you’re making the best choice for fish stocks is a real minefield says the charity that publishes the online Good Fish Guide – www.goodfishguide.com – the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
MCS says the key to making the right seafood choices is understanding what it is, where it is from and how it is caught or farmed, and using the charity’s Good Fish Guide website, app and pocket guide is the only way to get the full story on seafood sustainability.
The latest version of the guide, published today, shows how important it is for consumers to take the time to use the tools on offer to make sustainable choices when it comes to choosing fish.
The guide uses a simple 5-step rating system to identify fish sustainability – where 1 is a Best Choice, and 5 is a Fish to Avoid.
For instance, lobster, popular in a thermidor or served on its own with salad trimmings, may sound like a safe bet if the label says (though likely it won’t) that it was pot caught off the south west coast, but in fact this is rated 3 and an OK (yellow) choice with some room for improvement. But other lobster fisheries around Scotland, Wales and England are generally over fished with no catch limits, and there is no protection for egg-bearing females, in Wales and Scotland. This leaves animals from those fisheries rated as ones you need to consider carefully before eating (rated 4 – amber – requires improvement) as they are some way from being sustainably caught and require significant improvements to the fisheries.
Bernadette Clarke, MCS Good Fish Guide Programme Manager says: “Choosing sustainable seafood is a complex issue not helped by a lack of clear labelling on most seafood products. That lack of information means that consumers need all the help they can get. Using the Good Fish Guide will point people in the right direction and start the sustainability conversation with the fishmonger or restaurant. If consumers can start asking ‘Is that sustainable?’, seafood suppliers will need to have an answer.”
Other popular seafood with updated ratings in the latest Good Fish Guide are:
Squid, now a trendy starter on many menus and available at the seafood counter and freezer sections of larger supermarkets, are also a mixed bag when it comes to consumer choice. Eleven squid fisheries have either been updated or rated for the first time in the 2018 Good Fish Guide and whilst jig caught squid – a highly selective method – from the English Channel and Scotland are 3 rated (OK), elsewhere, squid have a 5 rating due to a combination of factors including limited stock assessment and poor management – making them a Fish to Avoid.
Dover sole, often seen as a bit of treat eaten only in high end restaurants, is actually a green rated (2 Good Choice) fish for all from the western English Channel, Cornwall or Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified from the North Sea. But if the sole on your plate comes trawled from the Irish Sea, or electric-pulse trawled from the North Sea, then it shouldn’t be on your plate at all (rated 5, Red).
Haddock is a fish shop favourite and the newly rated Rockall fishery has been rated 1 for the first time by the Good Fish Guide meaning it’s a great, guilt-free ‘Best Choice’. Haddock from the North Sea and West of Scotland have improved from 3 to 2 meaning it can again be considered a Good Choice after fishing pressure has continued to reduce and the stocks size continues to increase.
However, if you shun fast foods assuming a fish burger may be nothing more than the scrapings off the factory floor, think again. Fast-food giant McDonalds uses Alaskan Pollock in its Filet O Fish and a quick glance at the Good Fish Guide reveals this is a ‘Best Choice’ rated 1 and is MSC certified.
MCS says it’s vital that the public, chefs, retailers and fish buyers keep referring to the Good Fish Guide website, the Pocket Good Fish Guide or the app version on iPhone or android, to ensure they have the most up-to-date sustainable seafood advice.
MCS sustainable seafood work is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Hazel Johnstone, Senior Programme Manager within the charities team at People’s Postcode Lottery, says: “With this guide, Marine Conservation Society is making it easier for people to identify where fish has come from and whether it’s sustainable. This initiative, which players of People’s Postcode Lottery have been supporting for the past few years, is helping consumers to make an informed decision before they buy seafood. The fact that the guide’s available on different platforms makes it easily accessible, which is great.”
Check out www.goodfishguide.com for more.
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.
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.
-
News2 months agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
News3 months agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Gear News3 months agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News3 months agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News3 months agoTry BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months agoBook Review: Coral Triangle Cameos
-
Blogs2 months agoDive the Egyptian Red Sea this Autumn with Regaldive
-
News3 months ago2024 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition Announced