‘Alternative’ fish species not more sustainable

Several English fisheries including Thames Estuary cockles and North Sea herring caught by drift nets are sustainable and well-managed against standards set for the internationally recognised Marine Stewardship Council eco-label.

The fortunes of North Sea cod, often seen as a species to avoid because it has been overfished in the past, have turned around with good management and stocks are recovering, the MSC assessment of English fisheries found.

But red gurnard, a favourite among those encouraging consumers to avoid the “big five” species – cod, haddock, salmon, tuna and prawns - fared less well because of insufficient knowledge about the stock and lack of management.

Much red gurnard fishing uses beam trawling, considered to be damaging to the marine environment as it involves dragging a metal beam with the net attached along the sea bed, without many restrictions on where it can take place.

The MSC conducted desk-based “pre-assessments” on English fisheries covering 57 species against its sustainability standards to see how they were faring on preventing overfishing, maintaining natural ecosystems and managing stocks well.

Some such as Thames Estuary cockles, North Sea herring and sole caught using trammel nets were judged as ready to go ahead with full assessment to secure eco-label certification.

While cod stock levels are not yet healthy enough to score well in a full assessment, the recovery signs are “very positive”, the study found.

Other high-value fisheries such as brown crab, English Channel cuttlefish and sole caught with beam trawls, as well as the smaller red gurnard fisheries, need more work or information before they could meet the standards required to secure the eco-label.

The UK imports four-fifths of the seafood eaten in this country, while 70 per cent of the fish landed here is exported.

Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said: “This detailed report provides useful insight to help the Government, as well as fisherman and local authorities, realise the next steps toward full sustainability across the board and work together to achieve it.”