Fish fingers are a sustainable seafood option, marine conservation society says

Asda's smart price fish fingers are the most sustainable option according to new report

Fish fingers are a sustainable option (Stock)

Fish fingers are a sustainable choice of seafood, according to a new report by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).

The study, which looked at the ingredients of 48 own-brand and branded fish fingers, found that 85 per cent of the fish used is sustainable and protects the ocean.

The organisation also found that some of the most ethical options were stocked in budget supermarkets - meaning they were also the cheapest.

Of the brands found to be the most sustainable, Asda’s smart price fish fingers were rated number one.

The supermarket also came in second place with its omega-3 fish fingers.

Fish fingers sold in Iceland, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose were also on the list of the most sustainable versions.

According to the MCS, a lack of clear labelling on many products makes it difficult for customers to know where the fish in the fingers was caught - and how.

While all 48 products were found to contain just four fish types - Atlantic cod, Pacific cod, Alaska pollock and haddock - just 19 per cent of them conveyed this information, and where the fish came from, on the packaging.

Following the “unexpected” findings, Rajina Gurung from MCS compiled a Good Fish Finger Guide, which she hopes will raise awareness of the sustainability of fish fingers so that more customers can make educated purchases.

“Consumers may not be aware that the majority of fish in retail own brand and branded fish fingers actually comes from sustainable sources,” she said.

“Some saver brands even turned out to be the most sustainable, showing that you do not have to pay a fortune for sustainability.”

Gurung also acknowledged the organisations findings may be surprising considering many believe that fish fingers are “a mix of unspecified species in breadcrumbs."

For a seafood product to be sustainable, it means that the fish was caught using methods that have a low impact on the environment and oceans - and the well-being and future of the species was considered.

The 15 most sustainable options are listed below:

• Asda smart price fish fingers
• Asda omega-3 fish fingers
• Co-op omega-3 fish fingers
• Iceland breaded fish fingers
• Marks & Spencer gluten free cod fish fingers
• Morrisons omega-3 fish fingers
• Morrisons savers fish fingers
• Sainsbury's cod fillet fish fingers
• Sainsbury's "deliciously free from" cod fish fingers
• Sainsbury's basic fish fingers
• Sainsbury's omega-3 pollock fish fingers
• Tesco omega-3 fish fingers
• Waitrose essential cod fish fingers
• Waitrose 6 essential chunky cod fillet fish fingers in breadcrumbs
• Young's omega-3 fish fingers