A Taste of Healthy Seas - The Great Dorset Seafood campaign

Our seafood choices could help to save Dorset’s sea life, according to Dorset Wildlife Trust. Great Dorset Seafood is a major new campaign being launched at this weekend’s Dorset Seafood Festival to support the most environmentally sensitive use of the riches of our seas. 

Why is this new campaign so important?

Emma Rance, Marine Conservation Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “Overfishing and unsustainable fishing methods are among the biggest problems facing the world’s oceans. This is one thing that we can all do something about ­ by thinking about the seafood we buy. By encouraging both consumers and retailers to source seafood caught by our Dorset inshore fishermen, fishing from small boats in more selective ways, we can not only help reverse the decline of the marine environment, but also contribute towards a thriving inshore fishing industry in Dorset, producing good quality seafood.”

How will this help our seas?

The Great Dorset Seafood campaign will encourage a return to a healthy and productive marine environment by helping people to make the right choice of seafood in shops and restaurants, encouraging retailers to source responsibly and providing information on the way marine species are caught in Dorset. Dorset has one of the few fisheries in the UK that do not allow boats over 12 metres to fish within 6 miles of the coast, so locally-caught seafood is from small boats which are likely to have less impact on the seabed and wildlife. Recommended Dorset fisheries include potting for crab and lobster, rod and line fishing for sea bass and bream and diver-picked scallops.

How can I get involved?

Emma added: “With The Great Dorset Seafood campaign, we want to make it easy for people to make good choices about the seafood that they buy. This can really make a difference to the wildlife off our coasts, it’s good for local fishermen and it tastes better because it’s freshly caught. The campaign slogan says it all, really ­ ‘for wildlife, for Dorset, for you’.”

The Great Dorset Seafood campaign and website will be launched at the Dorset Seafood Festival this weekend at Weymouth’s Custom House Quay, with charismatic Dorset Wildlife Trust chef Cameron Farquharson, who will be showcasing locally caught seafood with demonstrations and tastings at 1pm, 2pm & 3pm on 9th and 10th July. For more information, ring Emma on 01305 264620 or email info@greatdorsetseafood.org.uk. From Saturday 9th July, visit www.greatdorsetseafood.org.uk to find out more

-ENDS-
Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Nicky Hoar at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.

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About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Working for a secure future for Dorset’s wildlife enriching the quality of life Dorset Wildlife Trust works to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living. Founded in 1961, DWT is now the largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, with over 25,000 members and over 40 nature reserves. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve. DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues and leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.

Read our Blog "Wildlife Matters"

The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) www.wildlifetrusts.org

There are 47 individual Wildlife Trusts covering the whole of the UK and the Isle of Man and Alderney. All are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. We have more than 800,000 members including 150,000 members of our junior branch Wildlife Watch. Our vision is to create A Living Landscape and secure Living Seas. We manage around 2,300 nature reserves and every year we advise thousands of landowners and organisations on how to manage their land for wildlife. We also run marine conservation projects around the UK, collecting vital data on the state of our seas and celebrating our amazing marine wildlife. Every year we work with thousands of schools and our nature reserves and visitor centres receive millions of visitors. Each Wildlife Trust is working within its local communities to inspire people about the future of their area: their own Living Landscapes and Living Seas.

Pot caught spider crab - Emma Rance

 Line caught seabass - Emma Rance