ITS time to reset the UK consumers relationship with the UK fishing industry.
Fishing rights are regularly in the news as the UK/EU trade negotiations rumble on. And while fishing is a relatively small economic issue, its certainly a big political one. Any research on the topic will quickly reveal huge industry complexities, a host of different organisations, sustainability issues and historical policies and licences all permed with hot multi-national politics.
Little discussed however is the relationship between UK fishing and the UK consumer, and at the heart of this story is a tale of separation, abandonment and decline.
Lets start with the decline. In 1895 the seas were open, fishing villages flourished all around our isles, and what was landed by local boats was what you ate. Peak UK fishing.
In Skye, the staple diet was salmon. If you were indentured to work on a farm, part of the deal was you could be fed salmon no more than four times a week. In London you ate a lot of eels, and somewhat reluctantly, pike.
Since 1895, its all been downhill. The total number of fishermen employed in the UK has fallen from just under 50,000 in 1938 to less than 12,000 today. The number of fishing vessels in the UK fleet has fallen by 30 per cent since 1996 to some 7,000 vessels.
So what is behind this decline? One key culprit is demand. The top two fish we land are mackerel and herring the perfect oily fish for a healthy diet, but very much out of fashion in the UK.
Also, despite cooking being an increasingly popular pastime, many people simply dont know their fish, or how to cook it. We export fabulous crab, scallops and langoustines to the Mediterranean and then fly out there to enjoy them at a restaurant.
But the biggest factor behind the decline is the separation of UK consumers from their own produce. The Marine Conservation Society explains that we currently export around 75 per cent of fish caught and landed in the UK, but were the ninth largest importer of fish in the world, with around 70 per cent of the seafood value entering the UK fish supply chain coming from overseas.
This two-way motorway of fish is absurd: economically wrong and also an ecological disaster. We are net importers of fish, while the fishmonger with fresh fish down the road is in decline.
We generally export in bulk, and buy consumer packaged, losing out on the processing jobs. We import from places as far away as China, India and Vietnam, at a horrendous cost in product miles: marine diesel, bulk packaging, and waste incurred during transport.
So, some pundits might say that the politicians have a history of abandoning UK fishing. But the facts show us that, as a whole, the UK population are often less supportive of our fishing industry than they realise.
Its therefore quite easy to be pessimistic about the future of the UK fishing industry. However, that would be wrong. Compared to the EU countries, the UK fleet has the second-largest total catch (in terms of landed weight) and the second-largest fleet size (in gross tonnage terms).
More than 80 per cent by value of the UK fleets landings are from UK waters. A further factor is that, despite the fall in the number of fishermen, this has been counterbalanced to some extent by increased productivity with modern equipment and trawlers.
But imagine how much better the outlook would be if we reconnected with UK fishing. As individual consumers we all have the power to help change this. Eating locally-caught fish would reduce our product miles and provide crucial support for the UKs fishing industry and its local communities.
Alan McCulla, CEO of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation, spells out the opportunity: We need people to care where their fish comes from, and for us the direct-to-consumer market is growing in importance, particularly as people are worried about sustainability.
The five most popular fish in the UK are also the UKs top five fish imports: salmon, cod, tuna, prawns, and haddock. But there are other excellent fish which are sustainable UK-caught alternatives: such as megrim (from Rockall, the northern North Sea, and West of Scotland), turbot (North Sea), coley (North Sea and Rockall) and lemon sole (the English Channel).
There are three ways to support UK fishing: visit your local fishmonger, ask at the supermarket fresh fish counter, or get your fish fresh direct from harbourside businesses and collectives. All UK-landed fish can be found atyouk.co, which offers a unique approach to finding sustainable UK-landed fish.
Go on, give UK-landed mackerel, herring, coley and shellfish a go!
- Advertisement -
The rest is here:
There's no plaice like home: Why we should be eating British fish - The Conservative Woman
- Power Distribution Market 2020 With Top Countries Data: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Top Key Players Analysis and Forecast Research - Cole of Duty - July 2nd, 2020 [July 2nd, 2020]
- Malcolm Young's five best rhythm guitar moments in AC/DC - Mixdown - July 2nd, 2020 [July 2nd, 2020]
- From '30 Rock' to 'Community,' Who Decides What Old TV Episodes Are Too Insensitive to Keep in Circulation? - TheWrap - July 2nd, 2020 [July 2nd, 2020]
- Thunderchild II on the Hoist at Crosshaven Boatyard Ahead of Record Bid? - Afloat - July 2nd, 2020 [July 2nd, 2020]
- We shouldn't need Ministers to develop the west - Galway Advertiser - July 2nd, 2020 [July 2nd, 2020]
- Author says 2400-year old coin artifact may be proof that Atlantis is real - EconoTimes - July 2nd, 2020 [July 2nd, 2020]
- A Decade Later, Let's Itemize the Sins of M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender - Paste Magazine - July 7th, 2020 [July 7th, 2020]
- Your daily 6: Gambling without booze or smoking, Hong Kong crackdown and virus 'grim and getting worse by the day' - STLtoday.com - July 7th, 2020 [July 7th, 2020]
- The Best Metal on Bandcamp: June 2020 - bandcamp.com - July 7th, 2020 [July 7th, 2020]
- Front-Row Seat: Striking the chords for live musics return - MPNnow.com - July 7th, 2020 [July 7th, 2020]
- Color Star Technology Announces the Addition of Renowned Musician Larry Carlton to its Color World Online Education Platform - Yahoo Finance - July 7th, 2020 [July 7th, 2020]
- 'The Office,' '30 Rock': All the TV shows to pull blackface scenes - Los Angeles Times - July 7th, 2020 [July 7th, 2020]
- Pride-inspired accessories you can rock all year round - Hindustan Times - July 7th, 2020 [July 7th, 2020]
- The All-American Glory of Yacht Rock - National Review - July 7th, 2020 [July 7th, 2020]
- Brexit fishing battle: Britain and Ireland 'to clash over ownership of tiny rock' - Express.co.uk - July 7th, 2020 [July 7th, 2020]
- Darren Wright of Howth Puts Famous Pata Negra On to Boil in the Round Ireland Yacht Race - Afloat - July 13th, 2020 [July 13th, 2020]
- Shop local swimwear, whatever your style | Hot Summer Guide | Halifax, Nova Scotia - The Coast Halifax - July 13th, 2020 [July 13th, 2020]
- Color Star Technology Announces the Addition of Renowned Musician Larry Carlton to its Color World Online Education Platform - Salamanca Press - July 13th, 2020 [July 13th, 2020]
- Grooveyards self-titled album impresses - The Daily Star - July 13th, 2020 [July 13th, 2020]
- HBO | World Day of the Rock: 7 movies and series, remember that the rock is alive more than ever | A Star ... - Code List - July 15th, 2020 [July 15th, 2020]
- The CW's Lost Boys show will 'keep the essence' of the movie, says series songwriter G Tom Mac - SYFY WIRE - July 15th, 2020 [July 15th, 2020]
- Re-opening federal death chamber: Victim opposition, pandemic threaten first execution in 17 years - USA TODAY - July 15th, 2020 [July 15th, 2020]
- How to catch a glimpse of the comet NEOWISE dazzling the skies right now - The Verge - July 17th, 2020 [July 17th, 2020]
- Remember the Strange Way the Eagles Played Their First Gig? - Taste of Country - July 18th, 2020 [July 18th, 2020]
- The Brave New World of Peacock Looks a Lot Like TVs Past - PRIMETIMER - July 18th, 2020 [July 18th, 2020]
- US Digital Banking Market Trends, Companies, Driver, Segmentation, Forecast to 2025 - Owned - July 18th, 2020 [July 18th, 2020]
- Exploring Trinity Site legends (some are true!) on 75th anniversary - Las Cruces Sun-News - July 20th, 2020 [July 20th, 2020]
- Rasheeda Frost Switches Up Her Look And Fans Are Here For It Check Out Her Outfits And Hairdos - Celebrity Insider - July 21st, 2020 [July 21st, 2020]
- Kim Zolciak-Biermann Bares Her Butt in the Tiniest Thong Bikini - Bravo - July 21st, 2020 [July 21st, 2020]
- Comprehensive report on Internet Banking Market with Top Key players like CGI, Financial Network services, Corillian, COR Financial Solutions, I-flex... - July 21st, 2020 [July 21st, 2020]
- Felix The Reaper on iOS review - "Lots of love, not enough game" - Pocket Gamer - July 25th, 2020 [July 25th, 2020]
- From 'Hip Hop Hooray' to 'YMCA,' the untold stories of Jock Jams, 25 years later - ESPN Philippines - July 25th, 2020 [July 25th, 2020]
- "The follow through decides where it's going to go" - Kick it like Matty Forde - SportsJOE.ie - July 25th, 2020 [July 25th, 2020]
- The Outer Worlds: Perils of Gorgon Interview - Talking Storytelling, Inspiration, and Freedom with Matt Hansen & Carrie Patel - RPG Site - July 26th, 2020 [July 26th, 2020]
- In praise of the masked man - Winnipeg Free Press - July 26th, 2020 [July 26th, 2020]
- Felix The Reaper review - "Lots of love, not enough game" - Pocket Gamer - July 28th, 2020 [July 28th, 2020]
- Douglas County Fair and Rodeo lives on with your safety top-of-mind July 30 Aug. 2 - The Know - July 28th, 2020 [July 28th, 2020]
- 40 years of Back In Black: a celebration of AC/DC's hard rock opus - Mixdown - July 28th, 2020 [July 28th, 2020]
- Were the Rolling Stones Better in the '60s or '70s? Roundtable - Ultimate Classic Rock - July 28th, 2020 [July 28th, 2020]
- Meet REDSIX, the Indonesian band crafting addictive, pop-punk classics - Happy - July 28th, 2020 [July 28th, 2020]
- The 53 Best Things to Do in Seattle This Weekend: July 24-26, 2020 - TheStranger.com - July 29th, 2020 [July 29th, 2020]
- BILLECK: Hellebuyck snubbed when it comes to Hart, even if he doesn't think so - Winnipeg Sun - July 29th, 2020 [July 29th, 2020]
- From 'Hip Hop Hooray' to 'YMCA,' the untold stories of Jock Jams, 25 years later - ESPN - July 30th, 2020 [July 30th, 2020]
- Vessel detained near Rockall was allegedly involved in another confrontation off Scotland - Irish Examiner - July 30th, 2020 [July 30th, 2020]
- Finally Today's Tim arrives in virus-free holiday haven - Noosa News - July 31st, 2020 [July 31st, 2020]
- The untold truth of Castle Rock - Looper - August 2nd, 2020 [August 2nd, 2020]
- Tracks of the Week #113 - God Is In The TV - August 2nd, 2020 [August 2nd, 2020]
- Girls soccer gets ready to take the field again - Sedona Red Rock News - August 2nd, 2020 [August 2nd, 2020]
- Watch Skip Marley And The School Of Rock All-Stars Perform Bob Marleys Three Little Birds - uDiscover Music - August 2nd, 2020 [August 2nd, 2020]
- This is the day: SB19 finally drops debut album 'Get in the Zone' - Manila Bulletin - August 3rd, 2020 [August 3rd, 2020]
- Dingdong Dantes honors mom, wife and the Creator on his 40th b-day - Manila Bulletin - August 3rd, 2020 [August 3rd, 2020]
- Battered by Covid-19, the fishing industry nervously awaits Brexit outcome - Irish Examiner - August 3rd, 2020 [August 3rd, 2020]
- Internet Banking Market 2020 New Techniques, Research Analysis, Treatment Types, Latest Trends, Regional Demand and Forecast Outlook 2025 - Market... - August 4th, 2020 [August 4th, 2020]
- Online Banking Industry Global Forecast by Products, Applications, Distribution Channels, Form, Regions, Company Analysis - Market Research Posts - August 4th, 2020 [August 4th, 2020]
- WWE news: Who were the best Superstars in the 2000s? - GIVEMESPORT - August 7th, 2020 [August 7th, 2020]
- Pedestrian killed by car driven by K-pop boy band 2AM's Seulong in Seoul - Manila Bulletin - August 8th, 2020 [August 8th, 2020]
- Once an Outlaw to perform at Wildcat Inn Aug. 20 - Conway Daily Sun - August 8th, 2020 [August 8th, 2020]
- This August, TV ventures through The Swamp, Lovecraft Country, and the Lower Decks of Star Trek - The A.V. Club - August 9th, 2020 [August 9th, 2020]
- Bon Iver enlists Springsteen and nods to Minneapolis homeless charity on new single - Minneapolis Star Tribune - August 9th, 2020 [August 9th, 2020]
- PM must remember we're doing lockdown differently on Scotland visit - The National - August 9th, 2020 [August 9th, 2020]
- Murs and Slug Surprise Release First New Felt Album in Over 10 Years Felt 4 U - mxdwn.com - August 10th, 2020 [August 10th, 2020]
- How to rock all types of womens leather jackets like a pro - Business MattersBusiness Matters - August 10th, 2020 [August 10th, 2020]
- Here are some Scottish locations that might suit PM's taste for adventure - The National - August 10th, 2020 [August 10th, 2020]
- Planning Commission Very Divided on URP Proposal, but Does Barely Support Approval - The Peoples Vanguard of Davis - August 31st, 2020 [August 31st, 2020]
- When Katrina Kaif Went Flirty Chic in Some Bright Florals, Ruffles and a Whole Lot of Cakes! - Report Door - August 31st, 2020 [August 31st, 2020]
- The HoopsHype Weekly: Ranking the Top 10 players in the 2020 NBA playoffs so far - Hoops Hype - September 2nd, 2020 [September 2nd, 2020]
- JIMI HENDRIX And JOHN BONHAM - Two New Books Celebrate The Lives And Music Of Late Rock Legends - bravewords.com - September 2nd, 2020 [September 2nd, 2020]
- Plotting the path through the energy transition - Hydrocarbon Engineering - September 2nd, 2020 [September 2nd, 2020]
- 'High Fidelity' Season 2 Would Have Focused on Cherise - Decider - September 2nd, 2020 [September 2nd, 2020]
- The 20 best rock albums of 1977 - Louder - September 2nd, 2020 [September 2nd, 2020]
- 4 Viral Beauty Moments Of Erica Fernandes That Broke The Internet - IWMBuzz - September 2nd, 2020 [September 2nd, 2020]
- Is this one better than the original? - Insights News - September 2nd, 2020 [September 2nd, 2020]
- Drive In Events Proving Popular in Newton Aycliffe - Durham Magazine - September 2nd, 2020 [September 2nd, 2020]
- Statue of Liberty-sized space rock among FIVE headed towards Earth warns NASA - RT - October 4th, 2020 [October 4th, 2020]
- Roman Reigns Open To Facing CM Punk: Hed Probably Need To Be Slapped Around A Few Times - Fightful - October 4th, 2020 [October 4th, 2020]
- Arizona Zervas / The Success Of Roxanne & Staying In His Own Lane - Flaunt Magazine - October 4th, 2020 [October 4th, 2020]
- Live Stream Review: Philly Music Fest Day One Featuring Japanese Breakfast, The Districts, and More - mxdwn.com - October 4th, 2020 [October 4th, 2020]
- Black History Month: Are these the 10 most influential black musicians of all time? - Radio X - October 8th, 2020 [October 8th, 2020]
- High school golfers lose federal case over virus rules that kept them from D-10 tourney - GoErie.com - October 8th, 2020 [October 8th, 2020]
- Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access preview: A perfect playground to push Larian's RPG to its narrative limits - GamesRadar+ - October 8th, 2020 [October 8th, 2020]