Research from the University of Aberdeen's Rowett Institute, published today in Nature Food, found that oily fish caught and farmed in UK waters could provide up to 73 percent of the daily recommended intake of Omega-3 and 46 percent of Vitamin B12. Currently, however, most of this salmon, herring and mackerel is sold abroad, while the majority of the seafood eaten here is imported prawn, cod, salmon and tuna.
At present, the average per capita consumption of fish within the UK is less than half of the recommended amount, despite proven benefits and consumer awareness campaigns. As such, the researchers hope that addressing the apparent discrepancy between domestic production and consumption of oily fish may encourage the adoption of healthy eating habits.
"Dietary recommendations for fish consumption have not been particularly effective in increasing fish intake in the UK. We may need more targeted messaging on, and a better understanding of, how much fish we need, and which fish we should eat," said the Rowett Institute's Professor Baukje de Roos, in a press release.
The researchers say this is also a missed opportunity when it comes to hitting net zero targets as seafood provides essential nutrients at a much lower emissions rate than other animal-based protein sources.
"We used to eat a lot of herring – herring girls would travel down the country, from Shetland to Great Yarmouth, to process and package the silver darlings coming from the North Sea. It was an important part of our culture, and we should try, somehow, to revive the demand for oily fish. Tinned fish may offer an excellent opportunity to do just that," concluded Dr Anneli Löfstedt, a member of the research group.
