New fish TO FRY

We Brits love our fish - but maybe it's time to add some new favourites to the menu

- WORDS: RAE RITCHIE. PHOTOS: GETTY

As an island nation, it's probably not surprising that fish and chips is one of our most popular dishes. What is more surprising is that 80% of the fish we eat in Britain comes from just a handful of species, often referred to as the 'big five': cod, haddock, salmon, tuna and prawns.

Big five, big problems

Our love of these five is so strong that it's creating environmental challenges. 'They are familiar, versatile and easy to cook but that popularity is exactly what makes them a problem,' says Emily Scott, chef and author of Home Shores: 100 Simple Fish Recipes to Cook at Home (Hardie Grant Books).

'The oceans simply cannot keep up. Many of these fish are overfished or they are caught using methods that damage marine habitats and harm other wildlife. Farmed versions can bring their own issues – pollution, disease and feed made from wild fish, which puts even more strain on the seas.'