Loch Fyne Restaurants Ltd said the three species, skate, monkfish and swordfish, would no longer be served at any of its 17 outlets. All three types of fish have recently been classed as ‘at risk’ by the UK-based wildlife charity the Marine Conservation Society.
Loch Fyne boss Mark Derry said: “Monkfish and swordfish have become extremely popular in the UK over the last few years, but unfortunately the fishing of these species has not been properly controlled and they are now facing hard times.
“Fish are very adept at replenishing their stocks, but only when they are given a fair chance. We hope that by taking the lead and removing them from our menus others will follow suit before it is too late.”
Argyll-based Loch Fyne has had a close relationship with the Marine Conservation Society for several years. MCS spokesman Bernadette Clarke said: “The Loch Fyne companies have set a good example – a number of the fish we have highlighted as at-risk are very popular in restaurants in the UK so this is a big step.
“We don’t want people to stop eating fish, but what we need to see is a wider variety of abundant species being offered and a chance for over-fished species to recover.”
Loch Fyne Restaurants locations include Cairndow in Argyll, Winchester, Oxford, Bath, and Fulham and Crouch End, in London.
