Great Solent Seafood

Healthy, delicious and versatile, it's no wonder seafood is a favourite food for many people. Eating fish and shellfish can be a great way to broaden your culinary horizons and better connect with our seas, as long as it is done sustainably.

As on land, the quality and availability of seafood is tied to the health of the environment. Fishing can have a significant impact on our waters, but several factors determine how large that impact is, from the time and location, to the target species, to the equipment used.

Unfortunately, demand for local species is low in the UK. Over half of what we catch is exported, while around 80% of the seafood we eat is imported. What's more, export markets often place less emphasis on sustainability. This means local suppliers have fewer opportunities to support low-impact fishing.

Through our Secrets of the Solent project, we partnered with Hampshire Fare to champion local, sustainable seafood from wave to plate. Together, we developed the Great Solent Seafood campaign to help people enjoy fantastic local seafood while reducing pressure on our marine environment. Although the project has now ended, the campaign and its resources continue to promote sustainable seafood choices across the region.