Conservation groups have united in welcoming sustainable fish-buying policies announced over the last two weeks by the organisers of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Rio 2016 Olympics. This means that only verifiably sustainable fish will be served as part of the 16 million meals to be consumed by athletes, spectators, staff, journalists and dignitaries during these two major international sporting events.
“This is a fantastic example of sustainability legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Ruth Westcott, Coordinator of Sustainable Fish City, an alliance of conservation groups that advised on the London 2012 sustainable fish policy. “London 2012 was the first ever major international sporting event to adopt a sustainable fish policy for wild-caught fish, setting the pace that others are now following. It’s a triumph to see the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games adopting a similar fish policy to London 2012.”
Market for verifiably sustainable fish
Large-scale food buyers such as the Rio 2016 and Glasgow 2014 organisers have an influential role to play in adopting fully sustainable fish buying policies, demonstrating to fishermen that there is a market for verifiably sustainable fish.
This gives fishermen and fish suppliers growing confidence to invest in improving fishery management, scientific stock and ecosystem assessment, and more eco-friendly fishing gear and fishing practices.
Following its success with the London 2012 Olympic fish-buying policy, the Sustainable Fish City campaign has gone on to secure sustainable fish pledges from caterers and businesses that together serve well over 200 million meals per year.
“The world’s marine resources need to be well managed and responsible buying choices are driving demand and encouraging investment for seafood from well managed fisheries and farms,” said Samuel Stone of the Marine Conservation Society, which publishes authoritative information on the sustainability of different seafood sources.
“The UN tells us that nearly 80% of the fish that the world eats comes from fisheries that are either fully exploited or over-exploited. With a growing world population, this is an issue of global concern. It’s inspiring to see the organisers of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Rio Olympics using their considerable influence to promote fish conservation.”
Scotland has more MSC certified fisheries than any other European country
Sustainable fish likely to grace the menus of sporting heroes and visitors to the 2014 Games are Scottish haddock, Shetland scallops, saithe, brown crab, herring and mussels and organic salmon, pouting and dab.
Claire Pescod, Fisheries Manager for the Marine Stewardship Council Scotland said: “This is a ringing endorsement of the hard work and dedication of MSC certified Scottish fishermen in promoting sustainable fishing practices. Scotland has more MSC certified fisheries than any other European country and supplying the Commonwealth Games helps to recognise their world-leading sustainable fishing practices. This decision will be a real boost to certified sustainable Scottish fishermen. I’m looking forward to seeing the MSC label on sustainable Scottish seafood at the Games.”