Fish Sources for your Restaurant

Fish Sources for your Restaurant

Recently the source of the world’s fish consumption has become an area of scrutiny. With the seafood supply dwindling or, in some cases, fished to extinction, there has been an issue highlighting ways that the public can still enjoy their fish dishes while not affecting the wild fish population. Big names, such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and a charity patronised Prince Charles have backed campaigns to either change people’s seafood preferences to fish that are more easily sustainable or highlighted alternative ways for purchasers to buy from more preferable suppliers.

There are alternatives to prevent over-fishing in our oceans.

• Genetically engineered fish
• Fish reared in fish farms

Genetically engineered fish could soon be a reality within the main stream food supply. However, many restaurants are against serving GE food to their customers.

Fish farms offer an acceptable alternative. Desired fish are kept in humane and natural enclosures and grown until they are of a correct size. They are then fished and sold to consumers. The fish are allowed to breed naturally and are kept healthy until they have reached maturity. These fish farms have presented a way to sustain the wild fish population whilst also satisfying the human population’s taste for seafood.

Benefits of including fish from a sustainable source on your menu

• Improved quality. Over-fishing in the oceans is leaving the remaining fish with little of their natural food sources. This results in the quality of the fish becoming diminished. Fish farms provide a natural habitat and ample amounts of food to ensure natural growth occurs.
• Better restaurant prices. Over-fishing from natural sources results in higher buying prices, therefore raised menu prices due to dwindling stock. Purchasing from fish farms reduces the overall cost for everyone as this sustainable source means that all varieties are available in ample amounts.
• Lessened environmental impact. Over-fishing bears comparisons to other environmental issues, such as deforestation. If fishermen continue to fish wild stock, very soon all fish will become extinct, leading to dramatic ramifications for the planet. Fish farms offer a solution to this problem.

How do I know what is sustainable seafood when I buy?

A certificate will be awarded to all suppliers that have complied with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) criteria. Purchasers will see a blue seal on fish packaging that notifies of MSC compliance. The MSC is an independent organisation that is closely linked with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to ensure fish sustainability.

Purchasing sustainable seafood has never been easier. The ‘Fish Fight’ initiative has proved so successful that fish marked with a blue seal are readily available from most places. Ease of purchase, quality of produce and environmental benefits, all contribute to sustainable seafood sources being the only truly viable option for restaurant owners.  

When you've found a responsible and sustainable source for your fresh fish, it's imperative to make sure it is stored correctly to preserve quality & freshness. Commercial fish keepers are the perfect solution. To read more about what to look for when buying your fish keeper take a look at our handy buying guide.