New sustainable fisheries map launched to help steer holidaymakers towards bountiful British seafood

Top chefs and seafood experts are urging holidaymakers to try local, sustainable food when they visit the coast this year with help from a new online resource.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has launched an interactive map that showcases sustainable fisheries in the UK and Ireland, along with information about the different species, history, and fishing methods. 

Included are fisheries such as the Dee Estuary in north Wales, where the likes of cockles are found, and Poole Harbour in Dorset, home to clams.

There are also sardines and hake in Cornwall, herring and mussels in Ireland, and haddock, crab, scallops and mussels in northern Scotland. 

According to research by insights consultancy GlobeScan conducted for the MSC, 72 per cent of UK seafood consumers believe we need to switch to only sustainable seafood sources. 

Around nine in ten people want better information so they can avoid making poor choices, the study also found. 

Katie Keay, from the MSC, said: “We’re really excited to launch this map, showing exactly where and how sustainable seafood across the UK and Ireland is fished.  

“We hope it will encourage seafood lovers to try out different species when on holidays across the UK this year. 

“Fishermen work extremely hard to ensure we have sustainable seafood to enjoy and it’s great to be able to support them by choosing the blue MSC label whether dining out or when shopping for seafood."