A new report from the World Wildlife Fund is claiming that Alaskan Pollock, the species being promoted in the UK as an alternative to Cod, is now also under threat from illegal fishing.
Even though progress is being made in the fight to save the North Atlantic Cod from extinction, huge numbers of illegal Pollock catches are making their way onto international markets. The WWF is concerned that illegal fishing will add to both species’ dwindling numbers and their inability to cope with climate change.
Due to depleted cod stocks in Europe, the UK is importing the majority of its Cod and Pollock from the Arctic, with nearly 70% of the world’s white fish supply already coming from these waters. Over 100,000 tonnes of illegal cod is caught a year in the Barents Sea, the world’s largest cod stock just North of Norway. Illegal cod landings have been cut in half by the tireless efforts of environmental groups, but now the illegal fishing of Alaskan Pollock in Russian waters has become the problem. Barents Sea is mainly fished by Norwegian and EU fishermen, whilst the bulk of the Alaskan Pollock is caught by Russian fleets, who then sell their catch on to the Chinese market.
To help the World Wildlife Funds effort to stop illegal fishing, it’s up to us, the consumer, to find out the source of the fish we buy. Nearly all supermarkets stock seafood that comes from a certified, sustainable source, so look for the stamp of approval from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) when purchasing.
