The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) was
nominated for one of the prestigious Observer Ethical Awards, which
were announced last night (7th June, 2007). The MCS Sustainable Seafood
Programme was one of just three initiatives short-listed for “Campaign
of the Yearâ€, in the Observer Ethical Awards scheme, which recognises
the most innovative and passionate ethical projects in the
UK.
Mrs Sam Fanshawe,
MCS Director said: “We are delighted that the MCS Sustainable Seafood
Programme was nominated for the prestigious Observer Ethical Award and
congratulate the winners. Whilst not taking the prize, the
accolade of having made the final shortlist is praise indeed for MCS’s
highly effective campaign to promote sustainable seafood including the
Good Fish Guide and Fishonline. “
The MCS
Sustainable Seafood Programme enables consumers, in the UK and Europe,
to make informed choices when buying seafood to secure a sustainable
future for fish, and for the wider fabric of life in our seas.
Nomination for this Award is recognition for the effectiveness of this
campaign and reflects a surge in public interest in making fisheries
management sustainable.
Bernadette Clarke, MCS
Fisheries Officer, has spearheaded the campaign on behalf of MCS since
1998, with the publication of the first UK ‘Good Fish Guide’
book in 2002 and development of the widely acclaimed website
www.fishonline.org. To provide up-to-date and easily accessible
consumer advice about the sustainability of over 150 fish stocks the
Fishonline website is updated annually, together with a Pocket Good
Fish Guide which provides lists of Fish to Eat and Fish to
Avoid.
MCS has influenced and advised
the development of sustainable fish buying policies by many of the key
UK food retailers; M&S, Tesco, Waitrose, CoOp, Asda, Somerfield
and Sainsbury’s have removed from sale species identified by MCS as
“Fish to Avoidâ€. MCS has also produced guidance for chefs, and advised
the House of Commons and several restaurant and hotel chains on the
adoption of sustainable seafood policies. Throughout the campaign MCS
has engaged in constructive dialogue with fishermen, fish producers,
associations, retailers and fish farmers. The Programme has resulted in
the stated support of a number of individuals from within the fishing
industry for, variously, its “reasonable†position, “thorough and
useable adviceâ€, and “robust voiceâ€.
More
information about the Sustainable Seafood Programme can be found at the
www.fishonline.org
website. A new MCS Pocket Good Fish Guide, featuring lists of fish to
eat and fish to avoid, can be obtained FREE – send a SAE to MCS, call
01989 566017, e-mail info@mcsuk.org or download
from the website.