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Seafood Sustainability

There is growing concern about world seafood stocks and FDF members are sensitive to the need for food companies to source fish in a way that is sustainable. They actively support the many joint industry programmes underway in this important area, such as the Marine Stewardship Council, and adhere strictly to legal requirements, such as the EU Regulation on Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

Sourcing of seafood is global in nature, with nearly two thirds of all fish consumed in the European Union imported from outside the community. This figure rises to 90% for the traditional whitefish species the UK consumer enjoys most. Because of this, FDF members work hard all over the world to ensure the fish they buy and process is responsibly sourced in an environmentally sound manner from well-managed and sustainable stock. We also work with suppliers in developing countries, providing them with assistance and guidance to ensure they, too, operate in a sustainable manner. Procuring seafood in this way helps protect stocks of species popular with UK consumers and the livelihoods of fisherman and fish farmers who rely upon their local marine habitat for income.