There is an array of different seafood landed to Cornish ports; it is healthy and affordable when in season yet current research shows that two thirds of the population are not eating the recommended two portions of fish per week. Cornwall is fortunate to have some of the most sustainable seafood in the world, however much of it is exported, adding unnecessarily to the carbon footprint. With Brexit looming, now is a great time to get local seafood back onto the menu and the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide makes it easy for the public and those in the food industry to seek out local sustainable seafood.

There is increasing concern from consumers as to the origins and sustainability of our food, and it is a complex issue. However, Cornwall Wildlife Trust make this information readily accessible through the excellent Cornwall Good Seafood Guide website, featuring information on the best seafood choices to make, where to buy it and plenty of simple and inspiring recipes.

Every six months the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide updates its sustainability ratings based on the latest evidence from international fisheries scientists, as well as local information on how fish is caught and managed in Cornwall’s waters. Following the latest data, published this summer, there are some changes to the recommended seafood list to announce, including great news for Cornish monkfish and megrim, both vitally important to the Cornish fishing fleet.

News of the Trust’s work is spreading outside the county, and inspiring people elsewhere to buy ‘good’ Cornish seafood, and support our fishermen. Last week, Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Marine Officer, Matt Slater was invited to London to give a talk on the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide project to members of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, an audience that included many of the nation’s top chefs.

Renowned seafood restaurant, ‘Hook’ at the Fish Hotel in Worcestershire, has also become the first restaurant outside Cornwall to sign up as business supporters of the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide project, pledging to provide at least two species from the recommended list on their menus, showing that the Cornish brand has high value outside the county.

This is all cause for celebration and hopefully bodes well for a healthy UK market for Cornwall’s sustainable seafood for years to come. Businesses across Cornwall, and further afield, are now being encouraged to become supporters of the project as a way of highlighting the great local seafood they sell, at the same time as educating the public on the best choices to go for. Over 90 businesses including big names such as Nathan Outlaw, The Eden Project, Fifteen Cornwall, Red Hotels, St Aubyn Estates and St Austell Brewery, are already supporting the project. Please check the ‘where to buy’ section of the website to find a seafood supplier near you!

Matt Slater will be attending the Falmouth Oyster Festival on Thursday 11th October to showcase the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide, as part of National Seafood Week which runs from 5th to 12th October, co-ordinated by Seafish.

www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk