Sustain tells environmental audit committee food businesses must help secure UK sustainable fisheries
Sustain has submitted evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee ‘Sustainable Seas’ inquiry, urging government to make more use of the very significant buying power of the public and food business sectors to secure a sustainable future for fish stocks and marine ecosystems.
We have it in our power to incentivise sustainable fisheries and a secure market for UK fishers through setting clear standards for the fish bought by supermarkets, foodservice companies and public sector institutions. Sustain also argues that government investment in more sustainable fishing would be a win-win, allowing our marine ecosystems to thrive and support a vibrant industry, but also to allow UK-landed fish to access better markets here and abroad.
The submission draws to the Environmental Audit Committee Sustainable Seas Inquiry draws on Sustain’s extensive expertise shifting the market to buy more sustainable fish. Our Sustainable Fish Cities project works to significantly shift demand in the UK towards sustainable fish buying.
The summary of Sustain’s key recommendations include:
- The Government’s proposed annual statement for fish stocks should include information about all relevant aspects of sustainability, to allow a proper data gap analysis
- Public procurement standards for fish should be extended to schools, monitored, and properly enforced
- Government should invest in fishery improvements and sustainability certification
Download a copy of the Sustainable Fish Cities submission to the Environmental Audit Committee
Read Sustain’s recommendations to MPs to secure a better deal for the UK fishing industry
Published Monday 28 May 2018
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.
