Channel 4’s Big Fish Fight

Channel 4’s Big Fish Fight Starting tonight on Channel 4 is the first in the series of programmes about sustainable seafood. We are proud to say that Loch Fyne Oysters has been championing this message for the past 30 years. If you would like a comment from one of their representatives please do not hesitate to get in touch. Media Information 11th January 2011 When Loch Fyne Oysters started, over 30 years ago, one of its main aims was to reintroduce and regenerate shellfish growing in Loch Fyne, following its destruction through overfishing at the turn of the century. As the company widened its product list to include salmon, it similarly worked very closely with independent salmon producers to find a sustainable alternative to the wild salmon stocks which had become depleted and unsustainable. These same salmon producers and Loch Fyne themselves also work closely with local fishery trusts to try and restore the wild salmon populations for environmental, rather than commercial, benefit. As the product list has continued to grow, the same principles have been applied to the sourcing of all other fish supplied to our customers. Public awareness of these issues has been growing and the latest step in the campaign to preserve our fish stocks reaches Channel 4 this month… Fish Fight In a series of programmes this January, featuring Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jamie Oliver and others Channel 4 highlights the issues surrounding the trawling industry and in particular the huge waste of fish through discarding species from a trawlers catch that are either unsellable or out of quota. The films promotes the need for consumers to buy sustainable seafood and will try to change eating habits by encouraging people to try less traditionally popular fish such as mackerel, coley and dab (Jamie’s Fish suppers). We are proud to say that Loch Fyne has championed this message for the last 30 years. We have supported the Marine Conservation Society in its work to help UK consumers to choose sustainable seafood via its Pocket Good Fish Guide. The first Good Fish Guide was funded through the Loch Fyne Oysters Trust and Loch Fyne Oysters is currently one of the Ocean 25 MSC Ambassadors. The MCS is supporting the fishfight campaign – for more information see their web site. Loch Fyne Oysters and Loch Fyne Restaurants welcome the programmes and the messages they convey and any resultant actions to move towards the recovery of wild fish stocks and sustainably farmed fish will be a step forward. We constantly question our own suppliers and where appropriate verify their farming methods to ensure that we too are doing everything we possibly can to ensure the fish and seafood we supply is sustainable and of the highest quality. By working with, and being part of, organisations such as the MSC and the Soil Association we continually keep up to date with the latest research and findings. Visit the fishfight web site (www.fishfight.net) to find out more about the campaign and the issues it raises and contact the MSC (http://www.mcsuk.org) for copies of the Good Fish Guide and further information on their work. It is vital that the issues raised in the series are addressed to stop the decline in fish stocks, not only for the sake of the environment but to maintain the thousands of communities all over the world who’s livelihoods depend on the our seas. The benefits for everyone given the healthiness of a diet including fish are well known. How we stop the decline needs to be considered by all those involved from the industry to the governments to the general public and the biggest challenge is to co-ordinate this process. Organisations such as the MCS can play a vital role in this and Loch Fyne continues to support their work. Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd – background Loch Fyne started with one inspirational idea – to grow oysters in the clear, fertile waters of Loch Fyne. It has since developed into a cluster of businesses whose success is built on an honest approach to superb quality food. All Loch Fyne businesses abide by the guiding environmental principles established by founders John Noble and Andy Lane at the outset. The companies work together to ensure that only the very best produce – farmed and fished to the highest quality and environmental standards – reaches the kitchens and plates of their customers. Along with the smokehouse and shellfish farms at the base of Loch Fyne are the Loch Fyne Farm shop and the Oyster Bar, the genesis behind the Loch Fyne Restaurant group, now owned by Greene King with whom Loch Fyne Oysters have both supply and licence agreements in place. Loch Fyne Oysters work closely with the Marine Conservation Society and is one of its Oceans 25 Ambassadors. ENDS Media Enquiries: Mia O'Neill T: 01786 435 182 E: mia@denvirmarketing.com