City could become first to gain sustainability status

The city is one of just four to be shortlisted to win the title.

The campaign calls on schools, universities, hospitals and restaurants to pledge to serve only sustainable fish and the likes of Japanese restaurant Moshimo, the University of Brighton and the Brighton Centre have already signed up.

Michelin-starred Raymond Blanc, who has a brasserie in Chichester, said: “I am asking Brighton and Hove to adopt the Sustainable Fish City model and support a sustainable approach to buying fish.

“By coming together as a city we have huge power and can become a positive force for change in our oceans.”

Brighton and Hove Food Partnership is leading the campaign in the city.

Director Vic Borrill said: “Brighton and Hove has a long connection with the oceans and fishing industry – we were once a thriving fishing town and we have a unique location on the beach which brings hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

“And we have a thriving food culture, with the highest number of restaurants per capita outside London.

“This campaign can help us revive our identity as a fishing town and help ensure abundant fish stocks for future generations.”

Moshimo, in Bartholomew Square, Brighton, has a long track record of championing sustainable fish.

The restaurant led international campaign ‘Fishlove’, which involved naked celebrities taking a stand against unsustainable fishing.

Managing director Karl Jones said: “Moshimo have been at the forefront of sustainable fish campaigning for many years.

“We removed and continue to remove any fish on the menu that could be deemed as being under threat.

“Whilst we don’t have a 100% success rate – we are ashamed of not always being able to source prawns from a sustainable source – we do achieve it when it comes to fish, always using every part of it, not throwing any away and buying and using everything that has been caught.”

The University of Brighton already serves Marine Stewardship Certified (MSC) fish to 22,000 students and 2,500 staff.

Schools caterer Eden Foodservice, based in West Drive, Brighton, has signed up to ensure 7,200 meals served to primary and special schools across the city contain only MSC fish.

Other cities in the running include London, Plymouth and a joint bid from Bournemouth and Poole.

To sign the pledge go to www.sustainweb.org/sustainablefishcity/sustainable_fish_pledge.