SFC investigated fish bought by the nine largest UK contract catering companies. The research suggested that about 71% of their fish was imported.
Many UK foodservice companies have adopted sustainable fish buying policies and have signed the SFC pledge. The limitations mean that many popular choices from the UK are currently off-limits.
Ruth Westcott, co-ordinator of Sustainable Fish Cities, said: “What a travesty that our fishers are losing out on so much business. Caterers in the UK want to buy UK fish and support our coastal communities but for some species they have no choice but to import from across the world to ensure that what they buy is sustainable.”
In the UK, most scallops dredged in offshore areas are not deemed acceptable for regular consumption. In the east of Scotland and the North Sea, Nephrops, used for scampi, do not pass ratings. Additionally, halibut, caught from around the coast of the UK, is red-rated. Overseas alternatives for these fish are being used, meaning that UK fishers are losing out on markets worth an estimated £62 million.
SFC argues that as part of a post-Brexit fishing regime, the government’s aim should be for all UK fisheries to be verifiably sustainable.