The Southbank Sustainability Initiative (SSI)Southbank Fresh fish have been successfully supplying London restaurants and caterers for over 20 years. Most recently the demand for information about the sourcing of seafood products has escalated with the consumer and the discerning diner driving the need for clarity and understanding of seafood sustainability.
The subject of sustainability, underpinned by fisheries science, is a hugely complex area based on collating, then calculating, retrospective data to enable an understanding of catch patterns, maximum sustainable yields, spawning stock biomass and so on. To assist chefs, purchasers and restaurant owners who wish to achieve either ethical menu planning or just desire a clearer perspective of their purchasing The Southbank Sustainability Initiative (SSI) was launched in January 2013. Southbank Fresh Fish are delighted to have Matthew Couchman, a qualified fisheries scientist, as their sales manager, something rather unique within the Seafood Wholesale sector. Through the SSI Matthew aims to assist with the understanding and offering of sustainable seafood to a level beyond simple easy claims or ‘sustainability logos’. The area of sustainability and sustainable seafood is sometimes contradictory, very confusing and on many occasions misleading. With this in mind we need to understand exactly what is being served to the diner. Through the guidance and passion to educate of the SSI team, headed by Depot Sales Manager and Fisheries Scientist Matthew Couchman, Southbank Fresh Fish aim to set you apart from other restaurants.
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Olleys Fish Experience; a sustainability story
In 2013, a year after Olleys Fish Experience in Herne Hill, South London, was approached by the London Aquarium after being featured in an Evening Standard article, ‘London’s 5 Most Sustainable Fish and Chip shops’. In reality none of the featured restaurants were anything close to being sustainable so owner, Harry, sought assistance from Southbank, to help him understand the complexities of the subject, educate him and his team, and achieve the ultimate ambition of improving their sustainable offer to one of the UK’s finest.
Read the full story here. |
Our Sustainability PolicyOur group, sustainability policy is available read online
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Matt CouchmanMatthew Couchman is our resident fish guru and degree qualified fisheries scientist who loves nothing more than to talk fish and bore you with every fish fact you could ever wish to know. If 'fish knowledge' was in the Olympics, Matt would get gold.
Southbank support the MCS and other organisations. Matt often contributes to discussions and acts as an advisor to many customers. Latest support with MCS can be viewed at www.fishonline.org
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