More fish off the 'green' menu

Along with fish such as monkfish, plaice, wild Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod, the species are included on the MCS’s updated Fish to Avoid list. The charity publishes lists of fish to eat and avoid based on monitoring of stocks and fishing practices. But it says poor labelling in shops and restaurants is causing confusion for the public, and is urging consumers to question vendors about the source of their fish to help them choose sustainable varieties. Cod is an example of why such labelling is important, according to the MCS. While many fish-lovers have opted for alternatives in light of publicity over depleted stocks, Pacific cod and organically-farmed Atlantic varieties appear on its Fish to Eat list. The charity's fisheries officer, Sam Wilding, said consumers were confused because of a lack of detail on labelling. He wants sellers to go beyond EU requirements of stating the region in which seafood is caught by specifying localities and fishing methods. "It is vital that consumers are given better information to act upon if we are to reduce the tragedy of overfishing," he said.