A Senseless Waste of Good Food?

Every day far out at sea half the fish caught in the North Sea are being thrown back dead. That’s almost a million tonnes of edible fish every year – wasted. Fishermen hate doing it, but EU law says they have to. They call it “discarding”. What would you call it? Madness? An environmental crime? A senseless waste of good food? We want to stop it. Join the discard protest at http://www.fishfight.net

On two occasions, at Brussels and Strasbourg, Bob Morris Managing Director of RG Morris & Son Ltd spoke to Roger Helmer the European Parliament representative for the East Midlands, about the ludicrous and unfair European fishing policy, in particular the returning of dead fish to the sea that the British fishermen have to adhere to!

Mr Helmer totally agreed and said it was bad for jobs, bad for the environment, bad for the fish industry and bad for Britain!

He took Bob’s complaints to the minister who said that they were well aware of the problems and would be doing something about it, that was over two years ago so don’t hold your breath!

Hugh’s Fish Fight FREE iPhone App

R G Morris and Son have been delighted with and are proud to support Hugh’s Fish Fight so we thought we’d better tell you about the Hugh’s Fish Fight FREE iPhone App which you can download here

We know it can sometimes seem confusing to decide which fish you should be eating so Hugh worked with the Marine Conservation Society and Selfridges to make it really simple for you. Hugh’s Fish Fight app contains MCS’ easy-to-use lists of Fish to Eat and Fish to Avoid with illustrations, tips and videos.

If you like eating out, Fish2Fork’s restaurant guide is also included in the app to make it easier for you to do so sustainably.

Hugh has included some of his personal favourite fish recipes and there are many others from top chefs who were involved in Selfridges Project Ocean Campaign.

Spring Gardens Stall to be discontinued

We regret to inform people that our SPRING GARDENS STALL will be discontinued with effect after Saturday 12th March.

For the benefit of our many loyal customers, we shall now be delivering orders direct to your door. If you would like us to call, please leave your details at the stall.

Choose from the fresh, daily selection on our van or order in advance by telephoning 01298 72458.

For more information, or to arrange for our driver to call, please do not hesitate to contact us

Hugh’s Fish Fight

R G Morris & Son are supporting Hugh’s Fish Fight

Around half of the fish caught by fishermen in the North Sea are unnecessarily thrown back into the ocean dead. The problem is that in a mixed fishery where many different fish live together, fishermen cannot control the species that they catch.

Fishing for one species often means catching another, and if people don’t want them or fishermen are not allowed to land them, the only option is to throw them overboard.

The vast majority of these discarded fish will die.

Because discards are not monitored, it is difficult to know exactly how many fish are being thrown away. The EU estimates that in the North Sea, discards are between 40% and 60% of the total catch. Many of these fish are species that have fallen out of fashion: we can help to prevent their discard just by rediscovering our taste for them.

Others are prime cod, haddock, plaice and other popular food species that are “over-quota”. The quota system is intended to protect fish stocks by setting limits on how many fish of a certain species should be caught.

Fishermen are not allowed to land any over-quota fish; if they accidentally catch them – which they can’t help but do – there is no choice but to throw them overboard before they reach the docks.

On two occasions, at Brussels and Strasbourg, Bob Morris Managing Director of RG Morris & Son Ltd spoke to Roger Helmer the European Parliament representative for the East Midlands, about the ludicrous and unfair European fishing policy, in particular the returning of dead fish to the sea that the British fishermen have to adhere to!

Mr Helmer totally agreed and said it was bad for jobs, bad for the environment, bad for the fish industry and bad for Britain!

He took Bob’s complaints to the minister who said that they were well aware of the problems and would be doing something about it, that was over two years ago so don’t hold your breath!

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has been travelling around the UK meeting fishermen, marine conservationists, politicians, supermarkets bosses, and of course fish-eating members of the public.

The website, fishfight.net is the campaign hub accompanying Hugh’s Fish Fight and will be continuing its work over the coming months. There you can find out more about the issues raised and lend your support to the campaign.

You can also follow the progress of Hugh’s Fish Fight on Facebook and Twitter.

Hugh’s Fish Fight is supported by a wide coalition of environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and, they hope, by a growing number of fishermen and policy makers too.

A vital part of the campaign, and the area where they are currently looking for public support, is the issue of discards at sea.

R G Morris & Son, along with 646,532 other people are supporting the campaign so far.

By visiting the website and supporting this campaign, your name will be added to a letter to be sent to Commissioner Maria Damanaki, members of the Common Fisheries Policy Reform Group, and all MEPs

Fresh Fish, Shellfish & Game in Buxton

Shopping in Buxton? Did you know you can get a wide selection of fresh fish, shellfish and game on Tuesday’s and Saturday’s in Buxton.

Our fully refrigerated unit is situated in Spring Gardens right outside Cafe Nero.

Our fantastic range of fresh produce includes: Extra Large Scallops, Natural Smoked Haddock, Whole Turbot (as seen on celebrity master chef) Whole Sea Bass and much, much more!

If you love the taste and freshness of the finest quality fish then come and see us in Buxton on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

We are now on Chesterfield Market

RG Morris & Son Ltd are now on Chesterfield Market every Saturday, offering a full selection of Fresh Fish, Shellfish and Game and Free-range Poultry…from Salmon, Haddock and Cod to Red Snapper, Parrot Fish and Sword Loin. For that special romantic treat why not try our succulent fresh Oysters, Lobster or Languostines?

Warm your cockles during these cold Winter evenings with an oven ready Pheasant, Partridge or Mallard. You could even try our Mixed Game or Diced Venison, perfect for a Casserole or Game Pie.

To order special produce, for collection from Chesterfield Market please call Danny on 07968 734 909.