About fish …

We love the Sustainable Food Trust, we’ve mentioned this before, they are doing incredible and vital research into creating food systems that can work to keep up with the amount of food needed to feed an ever growing population AND produce it in a way that does not continue to destroy our future. It feels like it comes from the right place too, uncontrived, unpoliticised, basically they’re not trying to sell us something.

The below is a recent and simple something from them about fish. It was pleasing, or a relief perhaps, to see the fish species that we have been using for our fish boxes match up entirely with those on their most sustainable list, we have been well led, thanks Matthew.

“According to the UN, the fraction of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels is declining year-on-year, which ultimately indicates that overall, we need to drastically reduce our fish consumption. Cod, salmon, haddock, tuna and prawns are those the most at risk, and by opting for one of the many alternatives, you can help these stocks recover.
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​The Marine Conservation Society @Mcs_uk is a good resource for identifying more sustainable options, based on the species, fishing methods and its location. Their suggestions are:
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​ Cornish Hake
​This fish has bounced back to sustainability in recent years due to a recovery plan implemented in the 1990s, with stocks healthy and increasing (also across Northern Europe). It’s a great example of what well-managed fisheries can do. Hake is a firm meaty fish, utterly delicious, and similar to much overfished cod.
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​ ​Handline-caught mackerel
Mackerel is such a fantastic UK fish and when it’s ‘handline-caught’, it’s at its most sustainable. This fishing method is low impact, primarily used by small, under 10 metre boats; it doesn’t impact the seabed nor is there a significant problem with bycatch.
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​​ Cornish Sardines
Previously known as pilchards, but rebranded as sardines in the 1990s, these fish are extremely high in omega-3. Globally, sardine stocks have suffered due to overfishing to supply industrial salmon farms, however Cornish sardine stocks are believed to be healthy.
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​ Dover Sole
Less sustainable than the above species, but still somewhat sustainable, with healthy populations along the Southwest coast of the UK, in the English Channel and Irish Sea. However, method of catch varies, with issues of bycatch, especially in relation to plaice, and damage to the seabed from certain kinds of trawling.
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​Your other options? Shellfish! 85% of British shellfish is exported, due to demand elsewhere. Mussels, oysters, clams and scallops are filter feeders living on microscopic organic matter, ensuring the water they live in is clean. The food they provide to those that eat them is rich in nutrients; they have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a raft of micronutrients and even have a sideline in sequestering carbon.”

We also hope …

… that the veg boxers amongst you have been enjoying the offerings of very local produce over the last few weeks especially. We’re very much making hay whilst the sun shines … Cavolo Nero, Chard, Salad and Fennel from Trenow and the favourite for us last week, French Beans from Trevelyan Farm Organics - add some Potatoes (Cornish of course), a fillet or two of hake, oh the hardships of eating healthily …