Get ready for the Big Fish Fight

Posted by jamie - 7 January 2011 at 11:24am - Comments

Hugh and Jamie during filming of the Fish Fight series

Hugh and Jamie during filming of Fish Fight outside Westminster

We're only a few days in to 2011, but already this year is shaping up to be a big one in our campaign to end the plunder of the oceans.

With fish stocks plummeting and other marine life suffering thanks to poor fishing methods, we need all the help we can get. So I'm really looking forward to the Big Fish Fight starting next week on Channel 4, which will see TV chefs such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall investigating the devastating effects of the fishing industry on marine life and the oceans themselves.

Hugh's series - Hugh's Fish Fight – will be particularly fascinating, starting Tuesday 11 January at 9pm. I wouldn't often advocate sitting in front of the TV as a course of positive action, but this should be worth it. Set yourself a reminder by joining the Facebook event page.

He's been delving into various murky aspects of how fish gets to our supermarkets including: the huge numbers of sharks, rays and other fish being caught and killed as bycatch in tuna nets; the vast quantities of perfectly edible fish discarded thanks to poor European fishing policies; and the devastating effects of fish farming or aquaculture on the environment.

Many of these issues cut right across our campaign work, to the extent that our investigators have been working closely with Hugh's production team, travelling to Ghana to uncover the secrets of the tinned tuna industry – watch out for them in episode two on Wednesday at 9pm.

We'll also be asking for your help very soon to challenge the worst practices in the tinned tuna industry once again, as we launch our new tinned tuna league table. You've already convinced many supermarkets to improve their policies when it comes to tinned tuna and we want to make sure the other big players do too.

In the meantime, don't miss Hugh's Fish Fight starting on Channel 4 next Tuesday at 9pm.

Article tagged as: aquaculture, big fish fight, bycatch, channel 4, discards, hugh fearnley-whittingstall, oceans, tinned tuna

Comments Commenting is now closed

@Joe Public

I didn't say that I supported a "breeding programme" it looks to me that it was you who actually brought up the idea. I'm pointing out the problem of overpopulation but the solution I would offer would involve a great deal of education in the less developed countries where huge families are preferred; however, there are a great deal of problems when you think about the reality of trying to use this solution; that dosen't mean I condone the use of any "breeding programmes"

Again, just because they are "celebs" dosen't mean they aren't qualified to research this matter; have you completly ignored everything I've said about this? because you don't seem to be acknowledging it with a counter-argument and continuing to say they are not qualified.

By Connelly90 - 18 January 2011 at 2:02pm

It was Martynuk who suggested a 'global breeding programme', which I think just a little bit Orwellian for my tastes.
As for celebs, if they're 'qualified to research' or just plain qualified, I'll listen. Otherwise it is just noise.

By Joe Public - 18 January 2011 at 2:43pm

@Joe Public

Then I don't see what your problem is here.

By Connelly90 - 18 January 2011 at 2:45pm

Celebrity chefs telling us what to eat? Surely that's their job?

By strangecharm - 18 January 2011 at 2:49pm

Er...no, it's how to cook it, and that's all. The clue is in the title.

By Joe Public - 18 January 2011 at 2:56pm

@ Jo Public, my sincere apologies - passionate subject, and lively conversation - so forgive if I misunderstood. I agree about celebs raising subjects which 'may - or may-not' be out of their depth, or education/profession but the fact of the matter is - celebs get listened too. Just open any 'newspaper - magazine, or everyday tv chat shows and we have Katie Price - aka Jordan rammed down our throat-whether we like it or not - the British people listen to people in the public eye - generally 'nice people'. If HFW (and team) have raised something that can bring attention to the 'everyday man, women and even child' then good on him and well done! Because, quite simply, lets face it, if you or I was in a position to be listen too and heard to just perhaps just educate people (even if only by a fraction) - which, lets face it at least people will know be more aware of the quality of kind fish that is caught in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, then its all been worth it. Because, who knows if this campaign will work!! Jordan gets married to sell another TV show, more mags, more botox etc etc - good for her but she is not campaigning for 'Save the Children' or 'Cancer Research', what campaign is she famous for....erm?! anyone, hello anyone?!?! Well if she is surely they now have enough funds to find a solution ! Perhaps she will end up looking like an old trout and campaign for the 'Great Fish Fight' ! I hope not, I like the girl but wasted celeb in my eyes - all self centred ego! Regards, LPD

By Lindy Darmanin - 18 January 2011 at 9:25pm

Erm I though we were talking about dead fish being wasted and thrown back in to the sea and ways to conserve it LIVE through a sensible fisheries policy?? I think the conversation has somewhat deviated.

Long gone are the days when fishermen sat and made cotton nets in their spare time. A good reason for the mass slaughter of fish is the success of modern fishing nets, mono filament, miles and miles of nets stretching from seabed to the surface in some cases, NOTHING can get away unless it is small enough to swim through the mesh. equally lethal modern beam trawls, huge and wide consuming anything that gets in the way and hoeing up the delicate balance of the seabed as they pass through. This is the issue, not Jordan or population control which is an issue but not to the fishies.

Getting goverment ministers to understand this issue is something else which is why we need celebs to do it.

By grandmother - 18 January 2011 at 10:36pm

when so many people are struggling or starving in this world it sickens me to see such waste,and the bloody stupid politicians that created this practise want locking up. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK,BETTER STILL LETS GET OUT OF THE EU AND GET ENGLAND BACK TO THE REAL WORLD

By mally 2 - 20 January 2011 at 12:37am

Grandmother what a brilliant idea hope it is soon. But I think the stupid politicians should be hanged my opinion though we cant keep going like this I am sure the EU are trying to get this country for themselves by hook or crook and they are going the right way denying us of everything. We wont be able to breeth without their say so soon.

By Mrs Linda Clark - 22 January 2011 at 7:55pm