How To Enjoy Fish And Chips Sustainably

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Read on to hear all about where I got some MSC certified fish and chips, as well as pick up some top tips on how to enjoy one of the UK’s favourite dishes sustainably.

Did you know National Fish and Chip Day is being celebrated across two days this year? Traditionally, it’s held on the first Friday in June but, as this coincides with the Jubilee weekend, many fish and chip shops have chosen to celebrate it a week early on Friday 27th May.

What’s more, in just a few days’ time – on 8th June – we’ll also be celebrating World Ocean Day – a whole day dedicated to raising awareness of human impact on our global oceans.

To mark both National Fish and Chip Day and World Ocean Day, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) – which is committed to ending overfishing and protecting our oceans around the globe – has launched a campaign to promote sustainable fish and chip shops throughout the UK and Ireland.

They’re sharing their top fish and chip tips, so we can be sure the fish we’re eating is a truly sustainable catch.

What does it mean to be MSC certified?

MSC certification means that a fishery meets international best practice standards for sustainable fishing.

This is the only global certification and labelling program for wild-capture fisheries that meets the guidelines set by the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation, the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) and ISEAL (the global membership association for sustainability standard).

What requirements must a fishery meet in order to achieve MSC certification?

In order to apply for MSC certification, a fishery must meet the three core requirements of the MSC Fisheries Standard:

1. Sustainable fish stocks: Fisheries must ensure they’re fishing at a level that can continue indefinitely, without significantly reducing the number of fish in the ocean; the fish population must remain productive and healthy.
   
2. Minimising environmental impact: Fisheries must consider the impact of their activities on our oceans, and ensure species and habitats in the surrounding ecosystem remain healthy.
   
3. Effective fisheries management: MSC certified fisheries must be well-managed, in terms complying with specific laws and adapting to varying environmental circumstances.

While MSC do not assess fisheries for MSC certification directly, they appoint independent certification bodies to complete multiple checks on their behalf.

How can I make sure my fish and chips are sustainable?

In the lead-up to World Ocean Day on 8 June, MSC are celebrating this beloved national dish – and it’s more important than ever to make sure that our fish is caught sustainably, ensuring future generations can enjoy the same traditions.

Find out their top fish and chip tips on their blog here.

Currently, there are six MSC certified fish and chip shops in Wales, located in Hirwaun, Neath, Swansea and Llandudno.

Penaluna’s Famous Fish and Chips – Hirwaun, Aberdare (Rhondda Cynon Taf)

Notably, the award-winning Penaluna’s Famous Fish and Chips in Hirwaun, Aberdare (Rhondda Cynon Taf) – as well as its mobile fish and chip unit – is not only MSC certified, but has also been certified to meet the MSC Chain of Custody for its frozen-at-sea cod, haddock, hake & plaice. This means that, not only are Penaluna’s able to trace their fish back to a fishery that meets the MSC Fisheries Standard, but they’re also able to trace exactly where their fish have been caught – including which trawler caught it, and how it has been distributed throughout all stages of the supply chain.

As I’ve already worked with Penaluna’s previously – when they were shortlisted in four categories of the 2020 National Fish and Chip Awards – I’m visiting one of the other fish and chip shops on the list of MSC certified fish and chip shops today.

Shillingfords Fish and Chip Shop in Neath – Neath Port Talbot, South Wales

To encourage you all to hunt down your nearest MSC certified fish and chip shop, I’ve paid a visit to the award-winning Shillingfords Fish and Chip Shop in the town of Neath, in the Neath Port Talbot county borough of South Wales.

A family-run, MSC certified fish and chip shop

Run by husband-and-wife, Allan and Kirsty Shillingford, Shillingford’s Fish and Chip Shop and Cafe has been based on Briton Ferry Road – just a short walk from Neath train station – for over 30 years.

Allan is originally from Yorkshire (although his father was born in my favourite country in the world, Grenada!), while Kirsty has always lived locally in Neath.

Awarded second best fish and chip shop in Wales in the National Fish and Chip Awards in 2019, Shillingford’s has an excellent reputation for its fresh fish and chips and homemade produce, with lots of loyal, local customers giving a close-knit, community feel to the chip shop and cafe.

Where do Shillingford’s source their MSC certified fish and other ingredients from?

One of only six fish and chip shops in Wales to have acquired MSC certification, and the first within Neath (although the nearby award-winning Hikary’s Fish Bar is also MSC certified), Shillingford’s have always bought their fish from an MSC-accredited supplier.

Kirsty and Allan pride themselves upon serving food made using only the highest quality ingredients, with daily deliveries of locally grown potatoes and fresh MSC certified fish sourced via Smales in Hull.

While many fish and chip shops use batter containing colourings and preservatives, Shillingfords use natural batter mix sourced from a trusted fish and chip shop supplier based in Birmingham – World of Ceres. In addition, their oil is also additive-free.

The menu

The menu at Shillingford’s Fish and Chip Shop features a range of MSC certified options, including skinless cod, plaice, haddock, homemade fish cakes, fish bites and cod butties (as indicated by the blue ecolabel on the menu, pictured below).

Many of the items listed on the menu are homemade by Shillingfords, like their tartare sauce, which is made using mayonnaise, salad cream, capers, gherkins and onions, with a hint of black pepper. They also make their own fish cakes, as well as corned beef and cheese rissoles.

There was no question in my mind that I was going to order the skinless cod and chips; I opted for the mini cod (£3.70), and small chips (£2.20), which I thought was fairly reasonably priced, especially given the generous portion sizes.

Wrapped in a crispy, bronzed batter that produced a satisfying crunch with every bite, the skinless cod was fresh and juicy, with a good, meaty texture, teamed with a wedge of fresh lemon for seasoning. The fluffy, golden chips made for the perfect accompaniment, especially when dunked into Shillingford’s homemade tartare sauce, which tastes absolutely incredible.

While fish and chips is traditionally served with mushy peas, at Shillingfords, you also have the option of mushy pea fritters. When I spotted them on Instagram, I was itching to try them out for myself. As Allan only recently began making these for National Fish and Chip Day, they’re not yet officially listed on the menu, but I’m sure they’ll be added soon, as they’re a real selling point.

Mushy marrowfat peas are mixed with a secret ingredient, before being dipped in batter and deep-fried until crisp. I’ve never tasted anything like this before in any other fish and chip shop and, as delicious as Shillingford’s battered cod and chips is, I’d go back solely just for another mushy pea fritter!

I also got to taste Allan’s homemade garlic mushrooms, pan-fried in a silky, buttery broth subtly flavoured with pepper; they’re so good, it’s virtually impossible not to slurp up the puddle of broth remaining in the bottom of the tub once you’ve polished off the mushrooms.

Shillingford’s Fish and Chip Shop is open from 11.30am until 9pm, seven days a week. You can order in advance online or over the phone on 01639 642 930, and local delivery is also available. To find out more about Shillingfords Fish & Chip Shop, visit their website or follow them on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

Look for MSC certified products when shopping for seafood

Don’t just stop at asking yourself, “Where can I find an MSC certified fish and chip shop near me?” If you’ll be shopping for fish to cook yourself at home, you can still do your bit to support MSC’s mission. Simply look for the blue MSC ecolabel on fish and seafood packaging to ensure it’s caught sustainably.

What does the MSC ecolabel mean?

If you see the blue MSC ecolabel on a fish or seafood product, this means it’s been caught by a fishery that’s been certified to meet the requirements of the MSC Fisheries Standard.

Where can I find MSC certified products?

MSC certified products can be found in most big supermarkets across the UK and Ireland, while many well-known food brands like Birds Eye, Princes and John West have also committed to using only MSC certified sustainable fish and seafood in their products.

To help you to find a store or local retailer near you stocking MSC certified seafood, MSC has also published a handy guide to where to buy MSC certified seafood, and which brands offer MSC certified products.

What to cook with your MSC certified fish and seafood

Once you’ve stocked up on sustainable fish and seafood, why not check out some of my favourite recipes to inspire you on what to cook with it?

Here are some of the most popular fish and seafood recipes I’ve shared on the blog over the years:

• Cod and chorizo skewers on rosemary stems
• Welsh lavercakes, made using Welsh Laverbread
• King prawn linguine
• Spicy Alaska Pollock Fish and Charred Onion Flatbreads
• 10-minute, simple Malaysian-inspired prawn laksa
• Halloween-themed smoked salmon canapes

From now on, whenever I fancy treating myself to a chippy supper, or seafood from restaurants or at the shops, I’ll be looking for the blue MSC ecolabel to make sure the seafood I’m buying supports the health of the ocean.

How do you like your fish and chips? Have you been to an MSC certified chippy? I’d love to hear all about it. Please share your experiences with me in the comment box below.

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