Owner, Peter Fraser, explains: “In challenging economic times, it may seem like financial suicide to take your best seller off the menu for a week, but we are also in challenging environmental times, and one thing that would really help the world’s marine resources would be if we were not so stuck in our ways and were more willing to try different species of fish. There are so many tasty alternatives available.”

 Peter continues: “The idea of a Cod Free Week at the Harbour Lights came up in a coffee time chat several weeks ago, but it has taken a little time to pluck up courage to go for it”. The decision however was made very easy after Peter was invited last week to speak at a local primary school in Wendron about sustainable fish. In a class of ten and eleven year olds, they were trying to define what the word “sustainable” meant.  A little hand shot up. “It’s about not being selfish,” the young lad said “I really enjoy cod and chips and I think my grandchildren should be able to as well”.

During its Cod Free Week, Harbour Lights will be serving a big variety of tasty fish, with Hake, Pollock & Whiting being promoted as the closest matches to Cod. All will be at bargain prices to assist customers in trying something different. Peter, wearing a tin hat, is really looking forward to the conversations with customers to hear their views and will be happily passing on what he learns to the fish and chip industry and marine environmental organisations.

Sam the Sustainable Cod, the Harbour Lights’ six foot shop mascot, is very happy with the news, his suitcase is packed and he is enjoying flicking through arctic holiday brochures.

Hannah Arcaro, from the MSC said: “Harbour Lights are environmental champions and over the years have built a well-earned reputation for offering their customers a delicious and sustainable tea. Although there are now several sources of sustainable cod, a lot of people are keen to try something new but fall back on the old favourite of cod ‘n’ chips when they’re in the queue. I’ll be very excited to see how Harbour Lights’ customers respond, this is their chance to think outside the chipbox!”.

David Parker of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) adds: “It is really great to see a fish and chip shop take such a keen and proactive stance on sustainable seafood. The majority of the UK’s population encounters their fish through fish and chip shops with the classic cod and chip dish so any initiatives based at the chippy are likely to really hit home. While there are sustainable cod options there are also many cod fisheries with serious concerns. Thus it is fantastic to see an initiative that exposes the public to a wide variety of sustainable fish, raising awareness of environmental issues they may never have associated with their fish supper. To see Harbour Lights invest so much in the future of sustainable fish is a really positive thing”.

Emily Howgate, of Seafood Choices, thought: "Harbour Lights have been finalists in The Good Catch award for sustainability for the last two years and their Cod Free Week is another example of the enthusiastic way they spread the sustainability message. Our seas are home to many sustainable (and tasty!) species and we should celebrate and enjoy the range of options - as they say, variety is the spice of life!"

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