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Industry boss ridicules 'fish too smelly' claim
A CLAIM that people in this country have given up eating fish for a variety of reasons – including that it's too smelly – has been ridiculed by an industry chief in Whitby.
The substance, omega-three, is present in fish oils and the claim was made by Nutrasea, in a report following a survey they carried out with 3,000 people.
The report's findings could also be affecting Whitby's fishing trade, one of the town's top industries.
Nutrasea reported their survey revealed two out of five people never cook fish and have replaced it in their diets with meat or vegetables, that four in 10 people have no idea how to cook it and 12% believe it's too expensive.
More than half have never eaten kippers, one in five has not tried tuna and 13% have not eaten cod. Others reject fish with less familiar names including pollock, gurnard or porgy.
Crab, trout and mackerel also never figure on many people's menus as does any type of fish which has a strong flavour such as anchovies, pilchards, mackerel and sardines.
But the report quotes Dr Rafe Bundy, a registered nutritionist, who said: "The findings from this survey support existing research that has found UK consumption of fish, especially oily fish rich in omega-three fatty acids, to be low, about one-third of the minimum amount recommended.
"This research suggests that the strong smell and taste of fish are two of the main reasons why people are avoiding eating it, especially oily fish variants."
The poll also revealed the traditional fish and chip Friday has taken a big hit in the past 12 months, with 66% claiming to have given up buying fish takeaways on a Friday.
A third of people said fish and chip takeaways were one of the first things they gave up since the recession and 34% said they consciously cut back on takeaways to save money.
But Dave Winspear, owner of one of Whitby's leading fishing firms, said: "Why swallow a tablet to get your omega-three when you can get all the benefits of it by eating fish as well as enjoying the texture and flavour of fish.
"It's one of the healthiest foods on the planet."
He admitted, though, that the recession is biting in Whitby.
He said: "There's a definite downturn in the prices we're getting for our fish and fewer people are eating out.
"The bad weather hasn't helped, either in Whitby, with people not coming into the town for a day out because they think they may not be able to get back home
"The trade in the more expensive varieties of fish like lobsters and crabs is down right throughout Europe.
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Weather for Whitby
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
