Bycatch on the Plate

In the North Sea alone, tons of less popular fish species are unintentionally caught every single day. These bycatch fish are discarded and returned to sea, but the vast majority die before ever making it back into the ocean. By changing our eating habits and incorporating these bycatch fish into our daily menus as consumers, we can become part of the solution to sustain our seas.

The North Sea boasts great biodiversity amongst its fish and other edible marine species. However, commercial value is really only placed on the most popular species to meet consumer demands. As chefs, distributors and consumers, we can help alleviate overfishing by informing ourselves and embracing the many other seafood options available to us. In doing so, we'll discover that there is much greater diversity to be enjoyed on our plates.

A collective of Belgian chefs have joined together as the "North Sea Chefs" in their commitment to raise awareness and appreciation for local, seasonal bycatch fish by featuring them on their restaurant menus.

Find more information and recipes on blog.foodpairing.com