WWF concerned at rocketing fish consumption

The Swiss are eating more fish than ever before, with their annual consumption currently at 9.1 kilograms per head, says the nature protection organisation WWF.

WWF is worried at the impact on fish stocks, and has issued a guide to help consumers buy only sustainable fish and shellfish. It says that this is all the more important, given that consumption has risen by more than 25 per cent in the last three years.

More than 95 per cent of the fish and shellfish eaten in Switzerland is imported, and a third of the total is farmed.

WWF points out that many popular species are being over-fished, or are on the brink of overfishing. Millions of unwanted fish and other marine animals are caught in nets every year, and thrown back dead or dying.

Furthermore, farmed fish are fed largely with fish meal and fish oils, which indirectly contributes to depleting wild fish stocks.

WWF lists three kinds of fish that can be recommended: wild fish with the Marine Stewardship Council label, farmed fish with an organic label, and local lake fish.

The free guide can be downloaded in German, French or Italian, and is also available as an iPhone app and soon also for android.

swissinfo.ch