Fish fingers are loved by children, nostalgic adults and Nigella Lawson, but soon schools in Plymouth could see an upgrade. A scheme in the seaside city is hoping to supply its primary and secondary schools with fish fingers made from locally caught fish. And not the typical cod or haddock, but lesser-known species including pouting and dogfish.
Bycatch – untargeted and generally unwanted fish caught by commercial fishers – is one of the greatest issues surrounding the fishing industry. According to the UN, 10% of annual global catches are discarded. The problem is compounded by our narrow tastes: 80% of the fish we eat in Britain consists of the “big five’ – cod, haddock, salmon, tuna and prawns. Yet in the south-west of the UK, more than 50 species are regularly caught. Much is sent abroad but fish including pouting, dogfish and whiting are often thrown, dead, back into the sea or used as bait. Certain species sell for as little as 20p per kilo on the market.
