World’s first MSC certified fish and chip shop celebrates 12 years of sustainable seafood Scotland’s Anstruther Fish Bar and Restaurant is celebrating twelve years of serving delicious sustainable seafood after it gained its Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) recertification last month. (1)
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fishery off south-west Africa which is hugely popular with customers. The South African hake fishery last month gained its MSC recertification for the fourth time and has been certified for 16 years. Alison added: “The biggest challenge we foresee in the protection of our oceans is education. As individuals, we
he Fife fish bar became the world’s first MSC
can all do our own wee bit but we most importantly need
certified fish and chip shop in April 2009 and
to help raise awareness on a global scale that our oceans
has been cooking up sustainable seafood ever
need protecting - now.”
since.
This sentiment is backed up by a survey conducted for
Owner Alison Smith said she was thrilled to be recertified.
MSC by GlobeScan which showed that some 83 per cent of
“I can’t believe it is twelve years since we got involved with
UK consumers are willing to take action to protect fish and
the MSC!” she said.
seafood in the future. (3)
Loren Hiller, Senior Commercial Officer at MSC, UK
The fish bar, located in the East Neuk area of Fife
& Ireland, commented: “This is a huge milestone for
opposite the picturesque harbour, opened in 2003.
both Anstruther Fish Bar and Restaurant and the MSC.
Alison and her husband Robert had been running a fish
Anstruther was the first ever fish and chip shop to become
processing business for many years before this, supplying
MSC certified and it has played a vital role in serving
hand-filleted haddock to fish and chips shops and retailers
customers with certified sustainable seafood for the last
throughout the region. Fishing is in the blood for both of
twelve years. Its ongoing commitment reinforces the
them.
importance of sustainable sourcing and protecting fish for
Alison explains: “Generations of both our families made
future generations and more fish and chip shops are now
their living in the fishing and related industries here in this
following in its footsteps.
wee corner of Fife, from the early 1700s right through to
“With MSC commissioned research (2) showing that
present day. Mainly as fishermen and fish curers but also
almost three-quarters of seafood consumers believe we
as carters, coopers and herring girls, they worked hard to
should only eat seafood from sustainable sources there
provide for their crews and their families.
has never been a more important time to source from MSC certified sustainable fisheries.” The restaurant serves hake from a MSC certified 42
Fastfood Professional • April and May 2021
“So, I think that we have always been aware of the need to protect our seas and oceans for future generations, not just here in Fife, but throughout the world.” April and May 2021 • Fastfood Professional
42
