
“Good fish” on the table: shared list for conscious purchasing
Fish is an important part of the diet for many people. However, overfishing, habitat destruction and high levels of bycatch are common undesirable side effects of commercial fishing.
But how can you buy fish sustainably and consciously? Research institutions, environmental associations and consumer advice centers offer help here because they are publishing a common list for conscious fish purchasing for the first time
It is extremely complicated for consumers to keep track of things and see whether “Good Fish” is still available. That is why the consumer advice centers have created a joint “Good Fish” list in collaboration with the German Environmental Aid (DUH), the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR), the Nature Conservation Association of Germany (NABU) and the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF). .
Global fish stocks under high pressure
The data from recent years is worrying: the majority of fish stocks worldwide are being fished to or beyond their biological limits. Only a few stocks are still in good condition. Fish are important for the entire marine ecosystem:
“Commercially used fish species must also be able to fulfill their role as predators or prey in the ecosystem. For this to happen, the fish stocks must be large enough and can only be fished sustainably. Through our research we have ensured that this is true for the fish on this list.”
Dr. Rainer Froese, marine ecologist and fisheries scientist at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel
In order for fish to remain part of our diet, but also in the ecosystem, sustainable, stock-friendly fishing is extremely important, emphasizes the DUH.
“We are only allowed to take as much fish from the seas as can grow back naturally. But it is very difficult for consumers to know which fish are caught sustainably and which fisheries do not endanger the health of our oceans and fish populations. The “Good Fish” list can help consumers understand what’s important when catching and buying fish.”
Dr. Katja Hockun, specialist for marine protection, nature conservation and biological diversity at the DUH.
The fishing area and fishing method must correspond exactly to the information in the list
For unprocessed fish and frozen products, information on the fish species, fishing method and fishing area is mandatory. These should be compared carefully with the list so that no fish from a critically endangered stock ends up in the shopping cart.
In addition to the origin, the fishing method is an important criterion because different fishing methods, depending on the method and device, have an impact on the stocks, but also on the seabed and other animals in this ecosystem.
“Good fish must also mean that fishing is compatible with nature and that harmful environmental impacts are avoided. Part of the solution is alternative fishing gear that avoids unwanted bycatch. It is important to develop them further quickly and put them into practice.”
Dr. Kim Detloff, NABU Head of Marine Protection
To make a conscious choice, consumers, retailers and restaurants should prioritize purchasing fish and mussels that exactly match the list
Uniform information for purchasing
Various institutions have developed fish guides in the past, but these provide different assessments depending on the criteria selected. One advantage of this list is, above all, the uniform information:
“Many consumers enjoy eating fish, but are also aware of the problems of overfishing. That's why we're pleased to have created a list together with the institutions involved that is a real purchasing aid for sustainable fish purchasing."
Vanessa Holste, food and nutrition expert at the Baden-Württemberg Consumer Center
“The 'Good Fish' list is valuable for all people who want to do something about the exploitation of the oceans. It is short and easy to understand – the rule of thumb for the supermarket, so to speak.”
Dr. Philipp Kanstinger, WWF fisheries expert
But this list can be helpful not only for consumers. This list should also be used with regard to the annual negotiations on the allocation of catch quotas so that political decision-makers can get an up-to-date picture of stocks.
The “Good Fish” list is updated annually and not only includes the stock sizes of the listed fish species, but also takes ecological aspects into account. And these are exactly what determine whether a fish is a “good fish”.
Click here for the “Good Fish!” list.
The list and the underlying criteria can be found at this address: www.vz-bw.de/guter-fisch
Source:
Baden-Württemberg consumer advice center
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