Fish plea offers food for thought

The WWF wants people to eat more adventurously

Scots have been urged to help conserve the country's dwindling fish stocks by becoming more adventurous eaters.

Overfishing has put stocks of some the most popular species under threat after a disastrous drop in their levels.

The World Wildlife Fund in Scotland said there is enough fish round the coast to ensure the menu could be varied each week.

However, despite the huge choice, haddock remains Scotland's favourite fish.

Overfishing has been identified as a problem

WWF Scotland wants people to avoid the fashion of choosing smaller, sometimes immature fish to fit on the plate by rediscovering species like herring.

Herring stocks have recovered since the collapse of stocks in the 1970s, but the market never picked up again.

To avoid that happening to fish like cod and haddock, the conservation group said they should be supplemented by other varieties on the menu.

Edinburgh fishmonger John Bee said the variety of fish available to the consumer has never been greater.

Mr Bee said: "Tuna from Sri Lanka, sardines from France, swordfish, bass from Greece, it's all there."

TV chef Ross Burden, a regular on the BBC's Ready, Steady Cook, programme will help WWF Scotland spread the message about the need for a change in eating habits.

Mr Burden said: "Fish are a great healthy option for Britain's dinner plates and there are many tasty, less well-known fish waiting for consumers to discover.

"Fresh fish are landed at over 175 locations around the UK and many specialise in a certain fish species.

Haddock is Scotland's most popular fish

"For the choicest fish, consumers should get to know their local fishmongers and what seasonal fresh fish are available in their region."

WWF fisheries officer Louise Heaps said: "We could eat a different fish species caught in UK waters each week and still not eat the same fish twice in any one year.

"My top tip for people who want to take action to help save fish stocks and our marine wildlife would be to vary the fish they eat throughout the year by eating less well-known fish such as saithe and pollock."

The WWF's Oceans Recovery Campaign also calls for the piloting of Fishing-Free Zones and the introduction of a stronger network of Marine Protected Areas around the UK.

The campaign group wants to see an Oceans Act - co-ordinated legislation to provide the best legislative support for protecting and managing the marine environment - for the benefit of wildlife and coastal communities.