Pub caterers join Fish Fight

Pub caterers are joining the Fish Fight campaign launched in a Channel 4 programme hosted by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

In a documentary aired last month Fearnley-Whittingstall urged caterers and consumers to use sustainably-sourced fish to protect our seas' fish stocks.

Mitch Adams, of private lease the Thatchers Arms in Mount Bures, Essex, has launched Fish Fight Fridays with a special seafood menu featuring more unusual

species. Dishes include beer-battered mackerel (£10.95).

"People are taking more interest in where their fish is from, but it is up to us to educate them," said Adams.

"We're making our options unusual because if people see a name they recognise, they will order it and we want them to try different things. Our staff are trained to explain the new fish and upsell to customers."

Other fish on the special Friday menu have included coley and megrim sole.

Simon Goodman, Pub Chef of the Year 2010 and co-owner of the Duke of Cumberland, in Henley, West Sussex, now sources 90% of his fish produce from sustainable sources, with the remaining 10% mostly made up of farmed salmon.

"Straight after the show people were asking where our fish is from and the next day I was on the phone to my suppliers. It's a good thing to get behind," said Goodman. His menu highlights that the fish is sustainably sourced.

Goodman said the change means an additional £2 per kg for the pub's weekly 30kg fish order.

"People are willing to pay a pound or two more and it is cost-effective as we use the rest of the fish in stocks."