We are a rarity in the world of seafood. While many other retailers claim to be sustainable, they are often selling fish and shellfish that is anything but. We believe in making a difference through action, and refuse to sell many species because there is simply no excuse to do so. We work with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Marine Conservation Society's sustainability ratings to guide which species we sell, and which we don't! Here are the top fish to avoid, and our suggestions for beautiful, sustainable and equally delicious alternatives.

SWORDFISH

This overfished species is caught using methods that have high by-catch issues, significantly impacting dolphins, turtles and sharks. They also have to be imported, adding a big carbon footprint to the significant environmental impact.

TUNA

Almost all tuna fisheries worldwide are deemed unsustainable. Many of the fishing methods have high by-catch, impacting vulnerable species like sharks and seabirds. The industry is also known to involve illegal fishing and slavery. We urge you to avoid tuna!

DREDGED SCALLOPS

Scallop dredging has a devastating effect on the marine environment, and in our view adds up to an act of environmental vandalism. This fishing method involves dragging rows of metal teeth across the sea bed, destroying the habitat and any slow-moving species in their path.

RAY & SKATE

Ray and skate are slow-growing species which take a long time to reach sexual maturity, often caught before they have reproduced. In addition, they produce a small number of eggs, so those that escape capture have fewer young to top up the population.

IMPORTED FARMED TIGER PRAWNS

Imported tiger prawns are typically farmed intensively on the edges of endangered mangrove swamps in SE Asia, seriously impacting these fragile ecosystems. Eye stalk oblation is common, a barbaric method used to increase breeding. Poor human rights standards are widespread too.

WILD HALIBUT

The wild population of this giant, regal flatfish is in crisis. They can grow to a massive 4.7m so are favoured by fishermen, but do not reach sexual maturity until 10-14 years of age, so most fish landed have not had the chance to reproduce. They are overfished and highly vulnerable.

FARMED SEA BREAM

Sea bream is farmed intensively in the Mediterranean, especially around Greece and Turkey. When poorly managed these sea pens can disrupt the local ecosystems, particularly affecting fragile sea grasses. There are plenty of equally delicious Cornish species, so why import farmed bream?

FARMED SEA BASS

Farmed sea bass comes with the same issues as farmed sea bream. The intensive farming practice uses sea pens that disrupt the fragile marine ecosystems of the Mediterranean coastline, impacting sea grasses. There are plenty of wonderfully tasty Cornish species, so why import farmed sea bass?