Over 188,000 London students now to be served sustainable fish
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“It is inspiring to hear that so many of London’s universities are helping to secure a sustainable fish future,” said Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at the Centre for Food Policy, City University London [4]. City University London was one of the early champions of Sustainable Fish City in its own food buying. Tim Lang continued: “Educational institutions recognise their role in helping the younger generation to tackle the serious challenges that now face human beings living on a planet with finite resources. What better way to demonstrate to our policy-makers of the future that sustainable fish is delicious, achievable and affordable than to serve it in university canteens, and promote this to staff and students.”
“There are nearly 50 universities, colleges and major educational institutions in London,” said Jon Walker, coordinator of the Sustainable Fish City campaign, which is backed by leading marine conservation organisations [5]. “It would be fantastic if all of them pledged to serve sustainable fish, so we would like all food buyers in educational institutions to join us in supporting precious marine environments and good livelihoods in sustainable fishing [6].”
This announcement is made on World Oceans Day, the annual celebration of the oceans and their vital importance for people and the planet [7].
Universities participating in Sustainable Fish City
The 14 London universities and colleges that have signed up to the Sustainable Fish City pledge are: Birkbeck; City University London; University of East London; Goldsmiths; University of Greenwich; Imperial College; Institute of Education; Kingston University London; Queen Mary, University of London; Royal College of Music; Royal Veterinary College; School of Pharmacy; School of Oriental and African Studies; University College London. Several have already achieved Marine Stewardship Council chain of custody certification, an eco label recognised as the gold standard in sustainable seafood. When signing up to Sustainable Fish City [1]:
- The University of East London’s Stratford Campus Catering Manager Keith Prince said: “UEL’s Catering Team is proud to promote sustainable fish among our students and staff. We’ve found that it’s easy to provide tasty, affordable meals, whilst reducing our impact on life in our oceans.”
- The University of Greenwich said: "The University is proud to promote sustainable fish among its stakeholders in pursuit of protecting endangered fish species."
- Imperial College said: “Imperial College are committed to creating and promoting a positive and reliable market for sustainable seafood, for the long-term benefit of marine species and the environment.”
- The School of Oriental and African Studies’ (a college of the University of London) Purchasing Manager Simon Button said: "The School of Oriental and African Studies is delighted to be a Sustainable Fish Champion. We hope that this fantastic project encourages other providers in the outsourced sector to increase their focus on sustainability of seafood sourcing."
Visit the Sustainable Fish City website at: www.sustainablefishcity.net
For enquiries, contact Jon Walker or Kath Dalmeny, Sustainable Fish City, tel: 0203 5596 777; email: fish@sustainweb.org.
Notes for editors
- The Sustainable Fish City campaign was launched in January 2011, and has already received sustainable fish pledges from fourteen London universities, the National Trust, the SEALIFE London Aquarium, top restaurants and leading caterers. This followed the adoption by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games of a fully sustainable fish policy, and the adoption by the GLA Group (Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, London Fire Brigade and the Greater London Authority – City Hall) of the London 2012 Food Vision, which includes a commitment to using sustainable fish. For further details of pledge signatories, see: https://www.sustainweb.org/sustainablefishcity/whos_working_on_it/
- The Sustainable Fish City pledge commits an organisation to ‘exclude the worst’ (Marine Conservation Society ‘fish to avoid’); ‘promote the best’ (MCS ‘fish to eat’ and Marine Stewardship Council certified sustainable fish); and ‘improve the rest’. Download the pledge at: https://www.sustainweb.org/pdf/11/Sustainable_Fish_City_Pledge_1.pdf
- The Sustainable Fish City website is at: www.sustainablefishcity.net
- Tim Lang is Professor of Food Policy at the Centre for Food Policy, City University London. He was land use commissioner on the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) and co-author of the SDC’s ‘Green, Healthy and Fair’ sustainable food report. He is also a member of the London Food Board Executive, advising on the development of healthy and sustainable food policies for London. See: http://www.city.ac.uk/health/about-the-school/academic-departments/public-health,-primary-care-and-food-policy/staff/professor-tim-lang.
- Sustainable Fish City is organised by an alliance of not-for-profit organisations, sustainable catering advisors and marine conservation specialists. Members of the Sustainable Fish City working group include the Environmental Justice Foundation, Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Pisces Responsible Fish Restaurants and the Seafood Choices Alliance (a project of SeaWeb). Sustainable Fish City is coordinated by Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming. https://www.sustainweb.org/sustainablefishcity/about/
- Organisations pledging to buy and promote sustainable fish can receive support through the Sustainable Fish City campaign and associated projects and services, such as advice, training and publicity (supported by the BBC Wildlife Fund and the Good Food on the Public Plate project, which is supported by the London Food Board and funded by the Mayor of London as part of implementation of the Mayor’s London Food Strategy). For details of what organisations can do, see: https://www.sustainweb.org/sustainablefishcity/how_can_i_help/
- This announcement comes on June 8th, World Oceans Day. The concept for a “World Ocean Day” was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. As a result of a United Nations General Assembly resolution passed in December 2008, World Oceans Day is now officially recognised by the UN as June 8th each year. Since 2002, The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network have helped to promote and coordinate World Oceans Day events worldwide with aquariums, zoos, museums, conservation organisations, universities, schools, and businesses. Each year an increasing number of countries and organisations have marked June 8th as an opportunity to celebrate our world ocean and our personal connection to the sea. See: http://worldoceansday.org/
Published Tuesday 7 June 2011
Sustainable Fish: A campaign to protect precious marine environments and fishing livelihoods, and call for fish to be bought from sustainable sources. We want to show what can be done if people and organisations make a concerted effort to change their buying habits.
