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A Quick Guide to Buying Sustainable Fish This Christmas

The holiday season is upon us, and for many, seafood is a highlight of Christmas feasts. From smoked salmon starters to hearty fish pies, seafood brings elegance and tradition to the festive table. However, with the surge in seafood consumption during this time, the importance of making sustainable choices cannot be overstated. By being mindful of where and how our seafood is sourced, we can enjoy delicious meals while protecting marine ecosystems for future generations. Here’s how you can make informed and sustainable seafood choices this Christmas.

Look for Certification Labels

One of the easiest ways to ensure the seafood you buy is sustainably sourced is to look for certification labels. Trusted labels like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) signify that the fish has been caught or farmed responsibly, with minimal harm to the environment. For example, MSC-certified wild cod or haddock guarantees that these species are harvested in ways that allow populations to replenish, while ASC-certified farmed salmon follows strict environmental and social responsibility standards.

Ask About Origin and Fishing Methods

Knowing where your seafood comes from and how it was caught can make a significant impact. Locally sourced seafood supports nearby fishing communities and reduces the carbon footprint of transportation. Additionally, asking about fishing methods can help you select options with lower environmental impact. Methods like angling, gill netting, or creeling are more selective and reduce bycatch compared to large-scale trawling. For example, line-caught sea bass or sustainably sourced lobster are great choices for your holiday spread.

Choose Fish in Season

Just like fruits and vegetables, seafood has seasons. Seasonal fish are more abundant and have had time to reproduce, which helps maintain healthy populations. Avoid fish that are closed for fishing or out of season, as these are often overfished or caught during critical spawning periods. For winter months, herring and mackerel are excellent seasonal choices, while wild Atlantic salmon is best avoided if it’s out of season. Checking regional seafood guides can help you identify the best seasonal options.

Try Less Demanded Species

This holiday season, why not experiment with species that are less commonly consumed? Popular options like tuna and cod are often overfished, while lesser-known species are usually more sustainable, nutritious, and affordable. For example, sardines and anchovies are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and full of flavor, making them a fantastic alternative to tuna. Similarly, pollock or whiting can be used in place of cod, offering a delicious and sustainable twist on traditional recipes.

Avoid Endangered Species

Some species, like bluefin tuna, swordfish, and European eel, are under significant population pressure and should be avoided to protect marine biodiversity. By choosing alternatives, we can help ease the strain on these vulnerable species. For instance, yellowfin tuna with sustainable certification is a better option than bluefin tuna, and smoked trout can replace eel in your holiday dishes.

Reduce Waste

The holidays often lead to overindulgence, but careful planning can help minimize food waste. Buy only what you need, freeze leftovers for later, or share surplus food with friends and family. Leftover fish can also be used to make stocks or soups, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Every small action contributes to a larger effort to protect our oceans.

Why It Matters

Sustainable seafood practices are vital for maintaining healthy oceans and supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities. By making informed choices this Christmas, we can help protect fish populations, preserve marine habitats, and promote ethical fishing and farming practices.

Let’s ensure that our holiday celebrations extend beyond our plates to contribute to the health of our oceans. By prioritizing sustainable seafood, we can create a festive season that is both joyful and responsible. Together, we can make sustainability the centerpiece of our Christmas celebrations and pave the way for a healthier future for our oceans.

#SustainableSeafood #Christmas2024 #ResponsibleConsumption #ProtectOurOceans

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David Bassett

Employed by EATiP since 2017, David is responsible for the day-to-day management and direction of this European wide multi-actor ETP. 

Working in the aquaculture industry since 2005, including a decade as the executive of a UK producer association, he has been active in numerous projects from the sixth Framework Programme. Among other roles, David has served as a director of the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum and served on the Technical Advisory Group of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC TAG) alongside being invited as a guest lecturer at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling (UK).  

In addition to working on multiple Horizon Europe projects David is one of the Technical Experts assisting with the implementation of the EU Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism in addition to chairing the research focus group of the Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) and sitting on the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research – Fish Committee (SCAR-Fish). 

For further information on EATiP please see www.eatip.eu 

Paul Bulcock

Paul Bulcock is responsible for developing and maintaining aquaculture information in SFP’s systems (e.g., FishSource, AIP Directory, Metrics). He also supports development and implementation of aquaculture strategy through research and analysis.

Paul has extensive program support and aquaculture research experience (particularly in Southeast Asia), having worked for the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and DFID’s Aquaculture and Fish Genetics Research Programme (AFGRP) at the Institute of Aquaculture, in Stirling, UK. He has an MSc in aquaculture from the University of Stirling and a BSc in marine and fisheries zoology from the University of Aberdeen.

Paul is based in the UK, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Fabio Grati

A fishery biologist presently employed at the National Research Council, Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (Ancona, Italy), he brings to the table more than thirty years of expertise in marine environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. Over the course of his career, he has overseen and participated in numerous international projects focused on understanding and mitigating anthropic impacts on marine ecosystems. Since 2019, he holds a membership in the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) under the European Commission. Within this role, he has chaired two STECF Expert Working Groups (EWG 22-12 and EWG 23-18), where he led efforts to establish scientifically robust yet accessible criteria and indicators for assessing the sustainability of fisheries products.

Andrea Fabris

Andrea Fabris born 11.08.1968, Italian, has a Veterinary Medicine full graduation achieved at the University of Parma. He has also a Specialization in “Farming, Hygiene, Pathology of Aquatic Species and Control of Derivative Products ” achieved at Udine University and a Specialization in “Animal Feeding” obtained at Bologna University.

Actually (from May 2016) he is Director of Associazione Piscicoltori Italiani (API – Italian Fish Farmers Association). At National level behalf of API he is member of some working groups at the General Direction for Fisheries and Aquaculture of Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Italian Ministry of Health regarding aquaculture EU rules and their implementation at national and regional level, and member of Exotic Species Aquaculture Committee – Italian Ministry of Agriculture. Lecturer on in training /courses organized by Ministry of Health, Universities and Local Veterinary Authorities; member of Board of Directors of SIPI (Italian Society of Fish Pathology).

He is also involved at international level with the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) as Chairman of FEAP Fish Health and Welfare Commission. Andrea is part of the FVE (Federation of Veterinarians Europe) Aquaculture Working Group, and of FishMedPlus Coalition, and from the beginning member of Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) where is actually Chair of WG1 – Finfish.

He published as an author or co-author about 30 articles on international and national scientific journals concerning Fish pathology and Aquaculture and more than 60 issues on divulgative (fishermen and aquaculture producers associations) publications

Anne Marie Cooper

Anne shapes global sustainable fisheries and aquaculture policies through her work at the science-policy interface. Driven by a commitment to improving human lives and aquatic ecosystems, she serves as the Professional Officer for Fisheries and Aquaculture Advice at the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Anne leads ICES’ efforts in developing and applying methods to provide scientific advice on data-limited fish and shellfish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, covering over 60% of ICES stocks. She also heads the development of ICES’
advisory framework for sustainable aquaculture. Before joining ICES, Anne advised on national fisheries, aquaculture, climate, and marine science policy in the US Senate, House of Representatives, and NOAA. She holds a Ph.D. in Conservation Biology and Development Studies and Social Change Theory and an M.Sc. in Fisheries Science from the University of Minnesota.

Pedro Reis Santos

Pedro Reis Santos is Secretary General of the Market Advisory Council (MAC), a stakeholder-led advisory body to the European Commission and to the Member States on matters relevant for the EU market of fishery and aquaculture products, as foreseen by the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation.

Before his appointment, in July 2019, as Secretary General, Mr Reis Santos worked as a consultant for a Brussels-based business intelligence service monitoring EU developments on fisheries, agriculture, food, animal welfare, alcohol and tobacco policy. Prior to that, he was a trainee at the Fisheries Unit of the Council of the European Union and a trainee at the Control Unit of the Portuguese Fisheries Authority.

Mr Reis Santos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Master’s degree in International Law and International Relations from the University of Lisbon with a thesis titled “Marine Protected Areas beyond National Jurisdiction”. Besides his first language, Portuguese, he speaks English and Spanish

Irene Kranendonk

Irene Kranendonk is the Impact Manager at Fish Tales and a board member of the Fish Tales Foundation. Her work focuses on developing and guiding Fish Tales’ sourcing criteria including management of the environmental and social certification schemes. With the Fish Tales Foundation and local partner organizations, she drives social and environmental improvements in small scale fisheries. Irene holds a master’s degree from Wageningen University in Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management and is specialized in the field of fisheries ecology. In a previous role, Irene was sustainable seafood assessor for the Dutch seafood rating scheme the VISwijzer.