Sustainable Seafood September: Celebrating Our Commitment to the Future
As we dive into Sustainable Seafood September, we at Fish City are excited to shine a spotlight on our unwavering commitment to responsible and sustainable seafood sourcing.
As an award-winning seafood and fish and chip restaurant in Belfast, we take immense pride in being the first restaurant on the island of Ireland to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), and to be recognised last year by the National Federation of Fish Friers as the UK’s Environment & Sustainability Champion and by the MSC as Foodservice Champion and Marketing Champion of the Year. Our dedication to sustainability is not just a buzzword— as one of our core values, it is embedded in our team and guides all our decision-making. Sustainability is at the very heart of everything we do, from the fish we serve to the relationships we build with our suppliers and local communities.
Fish City was recognised with the Sustainability Award at the Irish Takeaway Awards 2024.
Why Sustainable Seafood Matters
The ocean is a vital source of food, providing essential protein and healthy Omega-3 to billions of people worldwide. The ocean also holds 60 times more carbon than the atmosphere and absorbs nearly one-third of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from human activities. Our ocean’s resources, however, are not infinite. Overfishing has become a significant threat, endangering fish stocks and the overall health of marine ecosystems. The UN has named unsustainable fishing as the greatest driver of marine biodiversity loss in the world. Cod, for example – cod being one of the ‘Big Five’ species, alongside haddock, salmon, prawns and tuna, which comprise 80 percent of all seafood eaten in the UK – enjoys iconic status in our local cuisine yet catch limits exceeding scientific advice means that stocks around the UK and Ireland are unsustainably exploited. Previous collapses of cod fisheries have resulted in population explosions of their prey, including herring, shrimp and snow crab. These events have altered the survival rates of cod eggs and fry to lower, long-term levels and devastated fishing and coastal communities whose economies depended on their supply.
But there is good news! For over 20 years, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a leading international non-profit organisation, has worked to combat overfishing and promote sustainable fishing. The MSC understands that the fish we eat impacts the health of our ocean and all the marine life that call it home. Sustainable fishing practices ensure that fish populations remain healthy, the marine environment is protected, and the seafood industry can continue to thrive for future generations. The MSC’s blue eco-label, which can be found on certified sustainable seafood products, assures consumers that the fish they are buying comes from a fishery that meets the highest standards for environmental sustainability and healthy fish stocks.
How is the sustainability of a fishery measured and assessed? The first thing the MSC looks for is fishing at levels that ensure that stocks remain healthy and productive. Second, they look for carefully managed fishing activities which keep marine habitats intact and protect endangered species. And lastly, they look for well-managed operations, including compliance with relevant laws, responsiveness to changing environmental circumstances, and the wellbeing and welfare of those working within individual fisheries.
By choosing seafood with the MSC label, whether in our restaurant, at your local supermarket or fish counter, you’re actively participating in a global movement to safeguard seafood supplies and our ocean for the future. From cockles and mussels to sardines and hake, UK fisheries last year provided over 1,400 MSC-certified products across 53 species to consumers, meaning that the choice to eat sustainably is widely accessible and that across the seasons we can enjoy plenty of variety too!
Our Commitment to Sustainability
At Fish City, sustainability isn't just part of our business— it's our passion. We commit to responsibly sourcing the seafood for every dish on our menus, and all the cod, haddock, and hake we source are MSC-certified, ensuring they come to us from well-managed fisheries that meet rigorous sustainability standards.
We also believe in full food traceability. From the moment MSC-certified fish is caught at sea to when it’s served on your plate, we can trace which vessel and where in the ocean the fish has come from. If required, we can identify the captain of the boat and crew members. This traceability is key to ensuring the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
Through training our dedicated team learn about the provenance and sustainability of the seafood we source and serve.
For products to carry the blue MSC label, every company in the supply chain must have a valid Chain of Custody certificate. And to be certified, businesses up and down the supply chain (including ourselves!) must be audited by independent certifiers. Each time we receive a delivery of fish, it is our responsibility to check that the delivery matches the delivery note or invoice, that MSC-certified seafood is clearly labelled, and that we store it separately in its own area, clearly labelled and separate from non-certified seafood. Strict adherence to the Chain of Custody Standard is in place not just to maintain our certification but to give our guests the peace of mind that their seafood is truly sustainable.
Be Part of the Solution
Sustainable Seafood September is a reminder that every individual can play a valuable role in protecting our oceans. By choosing MSC-certified seafood wherever you are buying your fish and seafood, you’re supporting sustainable fishing practices that help preserve fish stocks and marine habitats for the future. Sustainable choices mean more fish in the sea, more fish on the menu, more Omega-3 for healthy diets, and a more vibrant ocean for us to enjoy!
At Fish City, we invite you to join us in celebrating Sustainable Seafood September by enjoying our sustainably sourced dishes, from fine fish dishes like our Pan Roast Cod to our award-winning fish and chips made with your choice of MSC-certified cod or haddock. Each bite you take not only supports fishers that are committed to sustainable practices but also contributes to the global effort to protect our ocean.
Together, we can ensure that delicious and nutritious seafood can be enjoyed for generations to come without compromising the health of our oceans. Come visit us and taste the difference that sustainability makes. Your plate is your passport to a healthier planet— one bite at a time. Thank you for supporting sustainable seafood and for being part of our journey towards a more sustainable future. We look forward to serving you!
When you choose seafood with the blue Marine Stewardship Council eco-label, you are supporting fishers that fish sustainably and healthy oceans for the future.
Marine Stewardship Council: Established in 1997, the MSC has been part of a global effort to keep our oceans healthy and full of life. When you choose fish or seafood with the MSC’s ‘blue fish’ eco-label, you can be sure that the fish you are eating can be traced back to a sustainable and well-managed wild fishery.