The Bay fish and chip shop in Stonehaven is, this week, the first UK fish and chip shop to offer its customers MSC certified sustainable Scottish haddock. Although other fish and chips shops have started frying MSC certified South Africa hake, The Bay is the first to use the recently certified Scottish haddock. The certified sustainable haddock and chips are easily identified on the shop’s menus by the blue MSC ecolabel next to each item.

A natural choice

Owner Calum Richardson explained: “When the Scottish haddock won its MSC certificate, I knew that we had to have certified sustainable haddock on our menus. Our customers are looking for sustainable, local fish and chips. By getting MSC certified, we can offer them that and more: fully traceable, certified sustainable Scottish haddock.”

“I’m proud that we’re the first in the UK but I’m sure we won’t be the only fish and chip shop serving it for long. MSC certified Scottish haddock is a fantastic fish and I’m sure that it is only a matter of time before other fish and chip shops across the country do the same.”

Support from Seafood Scotland

The Bay was supported to gain MSC Chain of Custody certification through the Seafood Scotland Value Added Programme.  Business Development Manager Ian Land said:  “Getting MSC product to the public is about getting the supply chain involved as much as the fishery and we were pleased to help Calum with the Chain of Custody process. His customers are pleased to know that their haddock supper is sustainable as well as being good to eat!”

"...an inspiration for the industry"

Hannah Arcaro, UK Foodservice manager for the MSC added: “Calum and The Bay are an inspiration for the industry. By getting MSC certified online – and in record time – they have shown that you can put certified sustainable haddock and chips on the menu with locally-sourced, certified sustainable fish.  Recent campaigns in the press have shown that UK customers want sustainable fish and chips. Now, The Bay has shown how easy it is to add MSC certified Scottish haddock to their choices.”

If you want to get your fish and chip shop MSC certified, visit www.msc.org/restaurants to find out more.

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