Bournemouth and Poole have become the world’s first Sustainable Fish City, with the majority of meals served in restaurants and catering establishments across the city area now served with a commitment to contain only sustainable fish.
The Sustainable Fish City campaign aims to kick endangered and unsustainably caught fish off menus for good, and work with fish-serving businesses to help to secure a sustainable future for our fisheries and marine environment.
Sarah Watson, sustainable food city manager for Bournemouth and Poole, said: “It has been hard work, but we have been overwhelmed by the support the campaign has received from local businesses and caterers that want to make a positive difference to the future of our oceans.
“This includes nearly all primary schools, leisure centres, theatres, Bournemouth Pavilion, large workplace restaurants, Bournemouth University, all major hospitals, A.F.C. Bournemouth and restaurants including the Highcliff Grill at the Marriot Hotel, Arbor at the Green House Hotel and AA double Rosette winning Cumberland Hotel and Ventana Grand Café.”
Ruth Westcott, co-ordinator of Sustainable Fish Cities, said: “This is a truly extraordinary achievement which will have a huge impact on the local, and indeed national supply chain for fish.
“Already we are seeing the impact of the campaign beyond Bournemouth and Poole – Harrison Catering Services, one of the UK’s top education and workplace caterers have recently taken the Fish Cities pledge on behalf of their UK-wide operation, and a major inspiration was the pledge of their Poole-based customer, the Jordans and Ryvita Company.”
“There is no doubt that this achievement will inspire other towns and cities and we hope we this is just the first of many Sustainable Fish Cities in the UK.”