The UK’s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has launched a new campaign to increase vigilance in the catering industry around illegal seafood supply chains, following a number of tip-offs from commercial fishermen.
Together with the Food Standards Agency and the British Hospitality Association, it is asking caterers to check whether the seafood they purchase can be traced back to a legal source.
The MMO wants to raise awareness of potentially unsafe, poor quality or illegal fish and shellfish which may be being offered for sale direct to the catering industry - including fish caught by unregistered and unlicensed fishermen, shellfish harvested from unsafe areas and protected juvenile lobsters and crabs.
Rod Henderson, head of coastal operations, MMO, said: “Commercial fishermen spend time and money ensuring their vessels are appropriately equipped, registered and licensed. They are rightly angered by those who make money from exploiting our public resources. Unreported fishing can affect the long term viability of fish stocks and it is important we work to protect these important resources for future generations.”
MMO Investigators are currently looking at instances of recreational sea anglers fishing for cod on boats off the Yorkshire coast which is allegedly being sold to care homes.
They’re also looking into the risky business of the illegal shellfish trade. Illegal shellfish is not submitted to the same checks which ensure it is fit for human consumption – including monitoring for E-Coli and Salmonella. So there' s a potential health risk there for consumers too.
