How do you choose?
Consumers wield considerable power over the market in fish and seafood products, thanks to their buying power.
For this reason, the Commission has launched a major public awareness campaign aimed particularly at consumers, as part of its drive to make European fisheries more sustainable through a reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
How can consumers influence fishing practices?
We have seen it happen. For example, in the UK, there is a major movement, backed by a large number of people, famous chefs, celebrities, retailers and big supermarkets, to promote all types of fish, not just the best-known, like cod or haddock, but other, less known species. This has led to an increase in the demand for different species in the UK, up 30 % in a year. This type of movement is present also in other Member States. So you see, consumers can bring about change. This has given fishermen an incentive not to discard – throwing fish back in the sea – but to land and sell all catches. This is the way we need to go. When
a consumer goes to the supermarket and chooses a product, he or she is using the ‘power of the fork’.
How can fishermen adapt to meet the changing demand?
We will help them to better know the market, so that they fish in response to consumer demand. They should not catch fish and throw them back in the sea. That is unacceptable. They can fish when they know they will be able to sell their catch for a good price. We are going to introduce an observatory for prices across Europe to help fishermen. We will also provide funding to help with storage and processing, for example. Fishermen can also give additional information on fishing techniques or practices, to inform consumers and add value to their product, while at the same time contributing to sustainability. We need to ensure that our coastal areas can survive.
in European Comission Publication, 2011. Fisheries and Aquaculture in Europe
It is a very good job for the CFP reform, start working with the consumers.
The fishermen are not the only responsible for the sea problems.
And the European fish still waiting for a reform.
For this reason, the Commission has launched a major public awareness campaign aimed particularly at consumers, as part of its drive to make European fisheries more sustainable through a reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
How can consumers influence fishing practices?
We have seen it happen. For example, in the UK, there is a major movement, backed by a large number of people, famous chefs, celebrities, retailers and big supermarkets, to promote all types of fish, not just the best-known, like cod or haddock, but other, less known species. This has led to an increase in the demand for different species in the UK, up 30 % in a year. This type of movement is present also in other Member States. So you see, consumers can bring about change. This has given fishermen an incentive not to discard – throwing fish back in the sea – but to land and sell all catches. This is the way we need to go. When
a consumer goes to the supermarket and chooses a product, he or she is using the ‘power of the fork’.
How can fishermen adapt to meet the changing demand?
We will help them to better know the market, so that they fish in response to consumer demand. They should not catch fish and throw them back in the sea. That is unacceptable. They can fish when they know they will be able to sell their catch for a good price. We are going to introduce an observatory for prices across Europe to help fishermen. We will also provide funding to help with storage and processing, for example. Fishermen can also give additional information on fishing techniques or practices, to inform consumers and add value to their product, while at the same time contributing to sustainability. We need to ensure that our coastal areas can survive.
in European Comission Publication, 2011. Fisheries and Aquaculture in Europe
It is a very good job for the CFP reform, start working with the consumers.
The fishermen are not the only responsible for the sea problems.
And the European fish still waiting for a reform.