Manchester is the fifteenth city to join the Sustainable Fish Cities network, which is aiming to see an end to endangered and unsustainable fish on menus in the UK, and has already secured sustainable fish pledges from caterers serving over 500 million meals per year. The pledge by the University of Manchester commits them to removing fish considered endangered or unsustainable, and switching to products which are from Marine Stewardship Council certified fisheries, or considered ‘Fish to Eat’ by the Marine Conservation Society. The University can also gain Marine Stewardship Council certification through a much simplified route, which is provided by Manchester-based purchasing organisation TUCO. The pledge will affect fish served to over 40,000 students and staff and it is hoped that the support of such a large Manchester institution will inspire many others to follow suit.
The Sustainable Fish Cities campaign is part of Sustainable Food Cities; an alliance of public, private and third sector organisations using food as a vehicle for positive change. It is coordinated by Food Matters, Soil Association and Sustain, and is funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. www.sustainablefoodcities.org
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
