Sustainable Seafood Sales Increase in the U.K. - Netherlands

British and Dutch consumers are increasingly committed to buying sustainable seafood products even in difficult financial times. Independent research shows a 154% increase in consumer spend on sustainable seafood in the UK, and a 50% increase in the Netherlands.

U.K. Sustainable Seafood

Despite just 1% growth in overall household expenditure between 2007 and 2009, the sustainable seafood sector flourished, with UK spend on sustainable seafood reaching £178 million over the same period.

The UK’s Co-operative Bank Ethical Consumerism 2010 Reportshows that overall and throughout the recession, there has been growing support by British consumers for green goods and services, including an 18% increase in total spend between 2007 and 2009.

Ethical and environmentally friendly food and drinks is one of the fastest growing sectors within the category (27% over the last two years) but across all services and goods the market for sustainable seafood is one of the key drivers of the overall growth.

Netherlands Sustainable Seafood

In a separate survey on food and sustainability in the Netherlands, researchers found that spend on sustainable-labelled wild-caught seafood increased by 50% in the first six months of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. Of that expenditure, over two-thirds comes from products carrying the MSC ecolabel for certified sustainable seafood.

In the first half of 2010, overall food expenditure in the Netherlands increased by just 1.4% while consumer expenditure on sustainable and ecolabelled food increased by 25.5%. However, the leap in revenue from sustainable seafood – from €39 to 59 million, makes it one of the fastest moving sectors in the Netherlands.

source: MSC

2010 North Atlantic Mackerel War Continues

BBC Scotland is reporting that Europe is preparing the way for sanctions against Iceland and the Faroe Islands over the so-called "mackerel wars".

Both island nations have announced plans for increased mackerel catches, which could in turn impact Scottish catches of this small but controversial fish. Mackerel is the Scottish fleet's most valuable stock.

According to BBC Scotland, Europe's Fisheries Commissioner is now believed to be pushing for changes in regulations that could result in sanctions against Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

 The latest round of talks, held in December failed to resolve the on-going dispute. The meeting, which included the EU and Norway, ended with the Faroese refusing to sign an agreement to limit mackerel catch levels for 2011.

Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "We were extremely frustrated by last week's breakdown in mackerel talks."

The controversy centers around Atlantic mackerel, which are small pelagic fish that travel in huge schools. Scientists claim that mackerel, in response to rising sea temperatures have shifted their range northward, which brings more fish into Icelandic and Faroese waters.

Meanwhile Scottish and other European fishermen feel that increased fishing quotas could devastate mackerel stocks, impacting the entire region.

Bangor Mussel Producers Fishery Certified

The Bangor Mussel Producers fishery was certified as a sustainable and well-managed fishery. Mussels from Bangor will be able to bear the coveted MSC ecolabel.

The North Menai Strait mussel fishery is an enhanced fishery where two boats use small dredges to catch young ‘seed’ mussels from the beds where they accumulate and then relay them on leased areas inside the Menai Strait where they thrive.

The mussels start off at an intertidal zone (that dries out on most tides) to develop thick shells that will protect them against predators. Over the next 9-18 months, they are moved to progressively deeper waters that rarely get exposed by the tides until, eventually, they are moved to deeper water in denser colonies where they can feed constantly and build up their body mass into a fat, juicy mussel.  Once the mussels have reached a suitable size, the fishermen re-catch them and sell them to the market.

The fishery scored highly for its stock status with the certifier noting that the fishery had a negligible or potentially positive impact on mussel stocks.

The fishery was sponsored through its assessment by The Co-operative’s £200,000 Sustainable Fishing Fund that is sponsoring fisheries across the UK through MSC assessments.

source: MSC press release

Salmon Gains Popularity in U.K.

Researchers report that 48% grocery shoppers bought fresh salmon during 2009. Fresh salmon now accounts for over £1 in every £5 spent on fish in the UK.

The release of the new figures coincides with the publication of the Annual Report from Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO), which highlights the industry’s contribution to the social, economic and environmental sustainability of Scotland.

Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of SSPO, said:  "As the UK continues to be our most important market, we welcome the leap in popularity of fresh salmon.

"Historically, seafood consumption in the UK is much lower than in many other nations. However, fresh salmon is increasingly catching the attention of our palates."

Scotland is the third largest salmon producer in the world with approximately a 10% global market share

For further information, visit www.scottishsalmon.co.uk. 

UK Celebrates Omega-3 Day

On March 3, 2010, the United Kingdon celebrated International Omega-3 Day.

According to UK seafood organization Seafish, seafood has been recognized as the best dietary source of Omega-3 oils.  Seafish notes that the reduction in the risk of heart attack death is the most widely accepted benefit from eating more seafood. Also noted was that the consensus of knowledgeable experts believe that eating more fish may reduce risk of death from a heart attack by around 25-30%.

At a conference on Seafood & Health in January 2009, experts from all over the world presented new research confirming that the complex of vitamins, minerals and long-chain fatty acids present in seafood can improve eyesight, skin, and concentration levels as well as improving cardiovascular health.

Seafish also noted that the European Food Safety Authority has increased the adult recommended intake of Omega-3 from 200mg a day to 250mg a day – more than the current UK recommendation of 200mg/day.

Seafish is a Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB), sponsored by the four UK government fisheries departments and funded by a levy on seafood. For more information, visit www.seafish.org.

2010 - 150 Years of British Fish and Chips

2010 is the 150th anniversary of fish and chips in the U.K. The nation celebrates its tradition annually with its national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition. The Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition has been going for 22 years.

Since the beginning of the competition, fish and chip shops have changed dramatically, with many now offering different varieties of fish such as pollack, coley, and hake.

Modern frying methods and state of the art frying ranges have helped make fish and chips one of the healthiest takeaway meals. According to Seafish of the UK, state of the art fish and chip shops offer meals containing less salt, a third less calories and over 40 per cent less fat than other takeaways.

150th anniversary of UK Fish and Chip Shops

2010 marks the 150th anniversary of Fish and Chip Shops in the U.K. To mark this event the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), in conjunction with partners in the industry, are planning a year of promotional activities.

The first shops to sell Fish and Chips opened in 1860, one in London, the other in Lancashire. Each of the ingredients had existed separately for some time prior but got together in 1860 to make the perfect partnership.

Great Britain is famous for its simple yet delicious use of North Sea fish, especially cod, haddock, saithe, sole, and plaice. The meal, which originated as a result of the industrial revolution, consists of battered, deep-fried fish and sliced deep-fried potatoes.

The meal has gained a strong urban following that continues to present day, with British style "chip shops" being famous not only in the United Kingdom but around the world.

For more information, visit: www.federationoffishfriers.co.uk