LEIGH fishermen have thrown their weight behind a new drive to encourage people to up their intake of nutritious seafood.

Echo Local News 05/08/2008

The Government recommends we eat two portions of fish or seafood a week, including nutritious cockles, mussels, prawns, whelks, and scallops.

The benefits are being promoted as part of Seafood Fortnight, from September 5 to 21, which aims to get us to make our lifestyles healthier by meeting the target.

The move comes after a survey, commissioned by Seafish, the Sea Fish Industry Authority, showed 79 per cent of adults would try to eat two portions of seafood a week if their doctor recommended it.

But 94 per cent said their GP had never advised eating seafood to improve heart-health.

Richard Eves, owner of fishmonger the Leigh Fisherman’s Co-operative, in Old Leigh, said: “It’s good for you– it wouldn’t hurt if you ate fish every night of the week. This time of year we sell a lot of sardines and mackeral, oily fish for the barbecue, and sea bass, all landed straight off the boat daily.”

Mr Eves said the credit crunch also made fish a good option, with unusual breeds selling well to those on a budget.

He added: “We are selling a lot of cheap stuff we wouldn’t normally dream of selling like flounders and mullet. We never used to keep them because they weren’t worth anything, but now we put them on the specials board and sell a lot.”

Nutritionist, Juliette Kellow said, “Fish and shellfish are some of the healthiest foods available.

“They are an excellent source of protein and provide a variety of different vitamins and minerals. Oil-rich seafood is also the best natural source of long-chain Omega 3 fatty acids, which are proven to help maintain heart health.”

Martin Davies, manager at Osborne’s cockle shed in Old Leigh, said at this time of year the store gets queues out of the door with people desperate for cockles caught on its boat – the Renown – and jellied eels.

He said: “It’s good for you – there’s very little fat on any fish.”

---