Talk to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute about sustainable fishing and you could win a £200 Waitrose voucher NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

The team at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute want to talk to MNers about sustainable and responsible fishing.

Here’s what the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute have to say, “We are very proud of the quality and sustainability of the fish from their oceans. Sustainability and responsible fishing has been enshrined into Alaska’s law since it became the 49th state of the US. All the fish that comes from Alaskan waters are wild and natural, giving them a huge amount of flavour and taste in addition to all the health benefits, plus you can have a clear conscious when you choose Alaskan seafood safe in the knowledge that the ocean’s stocks are preserved for generations to come.”

So, do you think that sustainability of fish is important? Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop or are other factors such as price more important to you? Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you? Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?

Everyone who adds their thoughts to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 Waitrose voucher.

Please note your comments may be used by MN/ Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute in an email MN will be sending out as well as possibly elsewhere. Please only add a comment if you're happy for your quote to be used.

Thanks,
MNHQ

[Gerrythetootallgiraffeswife]

It's something that I know is an issue, but I don't feel very well informed (other than the end of masterchef as a pp mentioned!). I don't buy cod, and I stick to pole and line tuna, but other than that I wouldn't know where to start.

I'm just as concerned that the quotas surrounding the sustainability issue mean that fish get thrown back to see dead so that trawlers don't get charged for over fishing. Again, not something I know loads about but what I've heard worries me.

[gutted2014]

I am concerned about the sustainability of fish & always try to buy sustainable fish so eg coley, pollack or river cobbler instead of cod or haddock. It's actually a win-win situation as often I find these fish tastier than the 'traditional' options and they are cheaper, too.

[lottietiger]

It is important but apart from Tuna I must admit I never really check when buying. No chippy sells cod round us so we never eat it out and at home we buy pollock.

No I don't always choose sustainable fish. If it has a label I will check it but if it's fresh from the counter I never ask. I'm normally just looking to see what's on offer. Strangely I always pay more for better quality farm reared or organic meat but haven't ever really thought about it with fish.

No it's not been on my mnd, but as above I always try to buy local meat.

No it seems like I need some tips myself:(

[saintlyjimjams]

So, do you think that sustainability of fish is important?
Yes, but I don't know as much about this as I should

Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop or are other factors such as price more important to you?
This is where I get a bit confused. I tend to think farmed fish will be better in terms in sustainability, but I think wild caught will taste better and will have had a happier life. I wouldn't want to eat those fish they farm in water warmed by nuclear power stations in Russia

Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you?
Not really.

Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?
No, but I'd like to read some.

[BlueEyeshadow]

So, do you think that sustainability of fish is important?
Yes. There won't be any fish left if we carry on massively over-fishing!

Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop or are other factors such as price more important to you?
Yes. I generally buy pollock or coley over cod or haddock, and they're cheaper too.

Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you?
Yes. I don't like the idea of it having come from halfway round the world when we have amazing fish right on our doorstep, as it were.

Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?
I tend to look for the Marine Stewardship Council logo, at least when I remember.

[Hopezibah]

Sustainability and ethics is of crucial importance when buying fish. It is something that I think a lot of people are aware of and when I am buying fish in the supermarket I do look for the symbols to show they are responsibly sourced whether it is through farmed fish or from sustainable sea sources.

I don't worry about price when it comes to fish because low quality fish doesn't taste so good so it is worth paying more if needed.

[Poofus]

Sustainability is absolutely the most important thing. I have a handy bookmark with sustainable and unsustainable fish types on which is a helpful reminder of what to eat and what not to! I wouldn't care much about country of origin unless that had an impact on transparency and sustainability, really.

[ProfYaffle]

It's important to me that all my food is as ethically sourced as possible. Fish just confuses me though , I just don't really buy it because I tie myself in knots over it so much, it seems so difficult to choose genuinely ethical fish.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Gutted I would do some googling about river cobbler if I were you. It doesn't have a great reputation but of course it is hard to get to the truth of the matter.

[prettybird]

I do consider sustainability: have gone off cod and monkfish as a result. I buy about half and half from my supermarket and local fishmonger. I do check whether tuna has been caught sustainably.

I've never really particularly thought about country of origin - but as a Scot, will prefer to buy Scottish salmon I know that's not what Alaskan Seafood Marketing wants to hear

Also, as a Scot, the "special" choice is haddock (breaded, not battered and done fresh) not cod at the fish shop.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It does seem that some river cobbler may be ok (although it's feed isn't) but you have to chose carefully.
marine conservation society

[Tyranasaurus]

I don't eat fish myself but I do think that the sustainability of fish is a big issue. I'm also concerned about fishing affecting other sea creatures

[iwantavuvezela]

So, do you think that sustainability of fish is important?

Yes i am very aware of this, but also realise that I do not know much abut which fish is sustainable, and iI really rely on packaging to let me know this. I would be very interested to learn more, to be guided on what fish to buy, from which waters. I would buy from producers/brands that were actively supporting sustainability of fish, and good fishing practices.

Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop

Yes if I am in a supermarket I read the packaging to see how it was caught. I will choose "line" or "pole" cuaght if i see it on the label. I would like to be warned of methods used when fishing that causes harm to fish like dolphins, sharks etc being caught up in nets. However i think information has also changed on what fish to buy and I would rfeally like some well produced information on this. For e.g. it used to be that farmed tuna was not seen as really good, that information seems to have shifted that farmed tuna is better? Is this so?
I am also really concerned about levels of mercury, and other toxins etc in sea waters, and would like more information of this.

or are other factors such as price more important to you? Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you?

No not really - but I would be interested to know if the fishing done in a certain country/area was sustainable. I would rather pay more for buying fish that is sustainable; supported fishermen(women); and was done in the best way possible.

Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?

No, I think my information is limited and therefore i am not sure that I should be passing on any information!

[MadMonkeys]

So, do you think that sustainability of fish is important?

Yes, very much so.

Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop or are other factors such as price more important to you?

I always try to find sustainably sourced fish, but price is very important as we are on a budget.

Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you?

Yes, It annoys me that we live on an island and yet it is hard to find reasonably priced fish that has been sustainably sourced from British waters. I think labelling should be clearer when buying online - I have had difficulty establishing the country of origin of fish online with at least two major supermarkets.

Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?

Shop in stores where info is clearer.

[starlight36]

Yes I think sustainability of fish is important and since watching programmes such as 'Hugh's Fish Fight' and reading press coverage I have been more aware of looking for sustainable fish when we've been shopping. Price does have some bearing but we don't buy fish unless we are aware it has been responsibly sourced. We generally prefer to buy from the UK where possible but have chosen Alaskan wild salmon over farmed Scottish salmon. We've downloaded the 'Hugh's Fish Fight' app and refer to it when buying fish.

[ShatnersBassoon]

I don't eat fish, and have little knowledge of where different types come from. I buy Jamie Oliver fish fingers for the rest of the family because they're sustainable pollock, which is a better choice than cod I believe. That's the limit to my fish buying.

[WowOoo]

So, do you think that sustainability of fish is important?

Absolutely.
I agree that Hugh's Fish fight really made a difference in raising awareness.
I love fish and want my children's children to be able to enjoy it as much as I have.


I have an app called 'fish2fork' that I am meant to use when I look at menus when I eat out. I haven't eaten out for ages though, but will use it when I do.

Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop or are other factors such as price more important to you?

Price is very important at the moment. I'd rather eat something sustainable than not of course. So, I read labels and tend to buy the best I can afford.

Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you?
Yes, I'd far rather support our economy and fishing industry than somewhere else.
For non native fish like tuna I'll look at the prices and how it is caught and then decide.

Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?

If you can afford to, buy your fish from your local fishmonger, M&S or Waitrose. They've tended to have the most variety and best quality sustainable fish I've found. Just before closing is a great time for bargains. Read the labels carefully, talk to the fishmongers about sustainability.

[Pasithea]

Sustainability is the most important factor when choosing fish.

I choose fish based on sustainability, origin and quality. I will always choose fish from British waters if at all possible. I find waitrose and marks and spencer are the most reliable for quality and sustainability information.

We eat fish around 4 times a week and it's welfare and sustainability are vital.

[itisntme]

So, do you think that sustainability of fish is important?
Yes, very

Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop or are other factors such as price more important to you?
I try to, but am not always sure what is good / bad

Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you?
Not significantly, although as with everything the more local the better

Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?
no

[CrackedNipplesSuchFun]

Do you think that sustainability of fish is important?

It's massively important to me as a consumer but also as a everyday person who values their ocean wildlife.

Many large fishing firms use massive ships and massive nets (and I mean really bloody massive) to fish. This not only ensures vast amounts of fish are leaving the Ocean Eco system but endangering other species as well. It has been reported and photographed, of these type of companies catching dolphins, turtles etc, which have died and festered, and then thrown back into the sea.


Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop or are other factors such as price more important to you?

A a family we now eat little fish as I don't much rate many of the companies means of sourcing fish. If we do by it, then the way in which it was caught and transported is really important and will always override the price. That said as a family on a tight budget we can't afford fish as much as we would like. I'd rather not eat it than go against my morals.


Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you?

Yes it does.

An example of why (for me), is that there are fishing ship lanes that go thought the Coral Reef, which are slowly but surely damaging it. This matters to me and therefore will always check where the fish have been caught.


Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?

Always look at the labels. Pole line caught is the way forward with tuna, for example. I would also advise looking up the big firms who sell fish (not their website but independent information) it's rather enlightening and frightening in equal measures.

[Maiyakat]

The country of origin is the most important for me, as I prefer to buy food sourced as locally as possible. The fish I buy most often is tuna, and I will only buy pole and line caught.

[WhereAreMyGlasses]

So, do you think that sustainability of fish is important?
Yes, I do.

Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop or are other factors such as price more important to you?
I do try to look but ultimately price comes first. If I can't find sustainable fish at the right price I just don't buy fish.

Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you?
I don't feel I know enough about "good" and "bad" countries of origin.

Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?
I don't feel I know enough myself so am reading other peoples' tips!

[clopper]

Do you think that sustainability of fish is important?
Yes. I have been aware of things like 'line caught tuna' for many years.

Do you consciously choose sustainable fish when you do your shop or are other factors such as price more important to you?
Price is obviously very important, but I would rather have less fish which is a better quality than a large amount of poor quality fish, as part of a meal.

Does the country of origin of your fish matter to you?
I don't like the thought of farmed fish as I saw a TV programme on it once and it looked very grim. Currently I'm concerned about prawns and where they are farmed. I'm also suspicious of newish names on the supermarket shelves, basa and river cobbler- not quite sure what these are.

Do you have any top tips for Mumsnetters when buying seafood responsibly?
I think we should make more of fish which can be caught in local waters, especially mackerel and trout. Also we should buy more fresh fish rather than 'fish products' with mushed up poor quality fish in.
The Dorset Wildlife trust has a great website with recipes to make using sustainable fish and it also has a section where they traffic light different types of fish for sustainability to help consumers make choices if they are concerned about the sustainability of different fish varieties.

[addictedtosugar]

I tend to choose whatever is on offer, and don't read the labels other than for price.

I wouldn't know how to tell if fish was sustainable or not, but having seen some of the series where trawler men were followed, it has made me think about how much inedible fish is caught along with the fish we use for food, and the waste that causes.

I never liked fish til out in Europe, where it was very fresh, and lost its fishy smell. So I only ever buy from fish counters - not packaged chilled fish, so it can be smelt. But I don't look where it has come from.

I also eat fresh fish on the day of purchase.