Eat less mackerel, says Marine Conservation Society
One of our favourite fishes has been removed from the charity's Fish To Eat list due to concerns about overfishing.
We should eat less mackerel and gurnard as they are being overfished, according to welfare charity the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
The MCS says large numbers of mackerel have moved to the north-west Atlantic around Iceland and the Faroe Islands. It claims both countries are now overfishing the population.
As a result, fish from that stock has lost its MSC certification and has been removed from its Fish To Eat list. The MSC now classifies it as a “fish to eat only occasionally”. It recommends herring and sardine as good alternatives.
Mackerel is popular not only for its taste, but because as an oily fish it is packed full of Omega 3 fatty acids, which can help prevent heart disease.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, who has campaigned for reform of fishing laws to end the practice of discarding 'overfished' fish, said in a statement on his website: "Politics and greed are getting in the way of common sense."
He said his River Cottage businesses will continue serving "South West handline caught mackerel on an occasional basis, as we do not wish to withdraw our support from small scale local fishermen who are catching mackerel in the most sustainable way possible".
Despite the best efforts of Hugh and others, the reform of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy still continues to be mired in politicial wrangling.
Goodbye gurnard
Uncertainty about gurnard numbers means it has also been removed from the Fish To Eat list and discarding is again to blame. Half the red gurnard caught in the English Channel are discarded due to a lack of demand, despite an increase in the number of celebrity chefs recommending it.
If you’re a fan, the MCS recommends halibut or red mullet instead.
More fish on the menu
However, there's good news for more local species. Dover sole from the English Channel, whiting from the Celtic Sea, North Sea coley, and haddock and lemon sole caught using gillnets have all been added to the Fish To Eat list.
To find out more about which species of fish are thriving and which are in danger, take a look at the MCS's Good Fish Guide website.
Sainsbury's offers a fish switch
Coincidentally, Sainsbury's has announced that this Friday (25th) it will be offering free alternative fish to anyone who asks for one of the 'big five' (that's cod, haddock, tuna, salmon and prawns) at its fresh fish counters. You'll be offered the likes of lemon sole, mussels, Cornish sardines, coley and trout instead. The Switch The Fish campaign first ran in 2011 and led to increases in sales of 'alternative' species such as rainbow trout and coley.
Don't forget, if you want to be sure the fish you buy meets the MSC's levels of sustainability, look out for its blue logo on packaging and at fish counters.
Will you be eating less mackerel? Do you choose which fish you buy based on sustainability? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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