MSC report shows progress towards more sustainable seafood consumption

Figures due to be released by the Marine Stewardship Council show that the number of fish and seafood products in the UK certified as ‘sustainable’ has increased by 41% since 2010.

What fisheries minister Richard Benyon has described as a ‘seismic shift’ in people’s attitudes towards the fish they eat has led to a significant increase in consumer demand for seafood products bearing the MSC logo. This certification ensures that products have come from sustainable fish stocks where fishing rates are controlled below the rate of replenishment so the population is not depleted. This move towards more sustainable fish consumption is welcome as currently, 85% of fish stocks globally are exploited to their maximum capacity or overfished.

Upcoming reforms of the EU common fisheries policy are also hoped to contribute to the protection of dwindling fish populations by changing EU fishing practices.