GREAT BIG FISH DEBATE

[michele]

has anyone been watching Hugh fernley witinstalls Great big Fish debate .

OMG I think its terrible.

 

Everyday thousands of tonnes of fish is thrown back into the sea because of EU quota’s. That’s half of all the fish caught in the North Sea thrown back overboard dead.

 

This week TV chef Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall launched his fish fight campaign as part of the Channel 4 Big Fish Fight season to put an end to the scandal.

 

In the last three days the number of people both watching and supporting the campaign has been phenomenal. Viewing figures for the first programme, aired on Tuesday evening, were 2.334 million viewers – beating CSI. Not bad for an environmental programme.

 

To date 244,494 have supported the campaign, by adding your name a letter is sent to Commissioner Maria Damanaki, members of the common Fisheries Policy Reform Group and all MEPs.

 

More than half the fish we eat comes from just three species, cod, salmon and tuna. As Hugh says, you don’t have to think too hard about that statistic to see the problem.

 

Hugh is urging people to try alternative fish that is more sustainable than the nations favourites Cod and Salmon and to lobby their local fish and chip shop to put mackerel on the menu.

 

Sign up if you didnt see the programme check out channel 4 od on demand .

 

So what do you really all think . ? I think that brussles shouldnt be able to tell us what to do ?

 

[Porky]

It may only be small things but they do add up, and more importantly they send a message to the suppliers (supermarkets) by hitting them in the pocket.

 

1 When you buy tinned Tuna look for the label "line caught" This avoids huge nets.

2 Try to buy from a fishmongers rather than a supermarket etc. They are far more interested in preserving fish stocks and quality.

3 There are loads of alternatives if you do 2.

3 Make a fish pie from all the odd bits, (another reason to go to a fishmongers) throw in a few prawns, a boiled egg and some garlic and mixed herbs. Bake in the oven in a cheese mix sauce (from a packet). Top with mash potato and a sprinkle of cheese, pop it under the grill untill nicely browned. Lovely jubly.

 

The downside of course to all this is that it takes more time to source the fish and it is more expensive. I think it is worth it.

 

Roy Fuller

[twooks]

hi 'chele, how's things :D

 

I always buy from proper fishmonger

and am amazed at the amount of waste

 

example 1 customer in front of me - buys and pays for 3 dover sole

which require filleting - and 2 of them have roe - yuk don't want them

example 2 when I go to my current fish man

[ian Sharp in Sedgefield :D]

no one wants the skeleton from filleted salmon yuk - too messy

 

:D :D so I get free roe and all the flesh from salmon bones - which then makes a brilliant pasta marinara

and because the fishmongers know me - they'd save these bits if they know I'm coming in

 

[i do draw the line at the heads - but only because they are v bloody]

 

I love gurnards - and hake - and they used to be pretty cheap - cos brits turn up their noses at them,

but our EU cousins know better and are prepared to pay more than we are as well

in fact the only fish that I've tried and dislike is skate - not keen on the texture and pike is too bony

:D

we are over fishing and taking fish that is too young, they need to have a chance to breed to replenish stocks - simple arithmetic really