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More fish off the 'green' menu More fish off the 'green' menu
(about 5 hours later)
Haddock, anchovies and five types of tuna should all be off the menu for UK eco-conscious diners, a charity says.Haddock, anchovies and five types of tuna should all be off the menu for UK eco-conscious diners, a charity says.
Along with monkfish, plaice and certain varieties of Dover sole, the species are included on the Marine Conservation Society's updated Fish to Avoid list.Along with monkfish, plaice and certain varieties of Dover sole, the species are included on the Marine Conservation Society's updated Fish to Avoid list.
The charity publishes lists of fish to eat and avoid based on monitoring of stocks and fishing practices.The charity publishes lists of fish to eat and avoid based on monitoring of stocks and fishing practices.
But it says poor labelling in shops and restaurants is causing confusion for the public.But it says poor labelling in shops and restaurants is causing confusion for the public.
Lack of detailLack of detail
The society is urging consumers to question vendors about the source of their fish to help them choose sustainable varieties.The society is urging consumers to question vendors about the source of their fish to help them choose sustainable varieties.
It cites cod as an example.It cites cod as an example.
While many fish-lovers have opted for alternatives in light of publicity over depleted stocks, Pacific cod and organically-farmed Atlantic varieties appear on its Fish to Eat list.While many fish-lovers have opted for alternatives in light of publicity over depleted stocks, Pacific cod and organically-farmed Atlantic varieties appear on its Fish to Eat list.
It is vital that consumers are given better information to act upon if we are to reduce the tragedy of overfishing Sam Wilding, Marine Conservation Society FISH TO AVOID Fish that are not sustainable enough to eat, according to the Marine Conservation Society, include: Grouper(pictured)Atlantic codEuropean eelMarlinWild Atlantic salmonSkate
class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/04_09_08fishlist.pdf">See full list of fish to eat and fish to avoid [210.08KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
Five varieties of tuna - including all types of bluefin - are on the Fish to Avoid list but the society recommends people can continue to eat the albacore species from the North or South Pacific or skipjack.Five varieties of tuna - including all types of bluefin - are on the Fish to Avoid list but the society recommends people can continue to eat the albacore species from the North or South Pacific or skipjack.
The charity's fisheries officer, Sam Wilding, said consumers were confused because of a lack of detail on labelling.The charity's fisheries officer, Sam Wilding, said consumers were confused because of a lack of detail on labelling.
He wants sellers to go beyond EU requirements of stating the region in which seafood is caught by specifying localities and fishing methods.He wants sellers to go beyond EU requirements of stating the region in which seafood is caught by specifying localities and fishing methods.
"It is vital that consumers are given better information to act upon if we are to reduce the tragedy of overfishing," he said."It is vital that consumers are given better information to act upon if we are to reduce the tragedy of overfishing," he said.
"If consumers are not confident that their fish is sustainably sourced they should question their retailer closely for more information.""If consumers are not confident that their fish is sustainably sourced they should question their retailer closely for more information."
Pizza lovers may be horrified to learn that stock levels of anchovies in the Bay of Biscay are at an all-time low and the society says there is no sustainable alternative.Pizza lovers may be horrified to learn that stock levels of anchovies in the Bay of Biscay are at an all-time low and the society says there is no sustainable alternative.
Eat with cautionEat with caution
The MCS says herring, provided it is caught from Norweigian stocks and not off the west of Scotland or Ireland, is acceptable.The MCS says herring, provided it is caught from Norweigian stocks and not off the west of Scotland or Ireland, is acceptable.
Meanwhile, monkfish - partially removed from the Fish to Avoid list last year - remains overfished off the Spanish and Portuguese coast, according to the society.Meanwhile, monkfish - partially removed from the Fish to Avoid list last year - remains overfished off the Spanish and Portuguese coast, according to the society.
It advises diners "only eat monkfish with caution" from alternative stocks and, even then, only if they measure at least 70cm.It advises diners "only eat monkfish with caution" from alternative stocks and, even then, only if they measure at least 70cm.
New additions to the list include Dover Sole that has been beam-trawled from the North Sea or trawled from the Irish Sea and haddock caught west of Scotland and the Faroe Islands.New additions to the list include Dover Sole that has been beam-trawled from the North Sea or trawled from the Irish Sea and haddock caught west of Scotland and the Faroe Islands.
It is genuinely difficult to be sure of all the details of any given fish supply line. Philip MacMullen, SeafishIt is genuinely difficult to be sure of all the details of any given fish supply line. Philip MacMullen, Seafish
Species on the Fish to East list include pollack, coley, pouting and grey gurnard.Species on the Fish to East list include pollack, coley, pouting and grey gurnard.
Tom Aikens, Michelin-starred chef at his own London restaurant, backed the publication of the lists.Tom Aikens, Michelin-starred chef at his own London restaurant, backed the publication of the lists.
He said: "We now serve gurnard and pollack as alternatives to cod and they have proved popular with our patrons."He said: "We now serve gurnard and pollack as alternatives to cod and they have proved popular with our patrons."
Philip MacMullen, head of environmental responsibility at the industry body Seafish, said all fish sold in the UK was subject to legal quotas.Philip MacMullen, head of environmental responsibility at the industry body Seafish, said all fish sold in the UK was subject to legal quotas.
Vendors realised the importance of clear labelling, he said.Vendors realised the importance of clear labelling, he said.
But he added: "It is genuinely difficult to be sure of all the details of any given fish supply line.But he added: "It is genuinely difficult to be sure of all the details of any given fish supply line.
"The complexities of fisheries also mean that it is difficult to rely on a simple eat/avoid list. Fish stocks are dynamic and can change their status quite quickly.""The complexities of fisheries also mean that it is difficult to rely on a simple eat/avoid list. Fish stocks are dynamic and can change their status quite quickly."