How to Read Seafood Labels

— A Simple Guide to Buying Sustainable UK Fish.

Have you heard about the “Great British Fish Gap”? 

New research from the brilliant teams at Mindfully Wired and Discover Seafood shows that while most of us want to eat more locally caught fish, many of us don’t recognise the species caught right here in UK waters, like hake or gurnard, and even fewer can confidently read seafood labels. That’s a huge missed opportunity. Not just for eating more sustainable seafood, but for directly supporting our UK fishing industry and coastal communities.

So it’s the perfect moment to share something I’ve been working on: a ‘How to Read Seafood Labels’ infographic. It’s a simple guide to help you:

🦞 Find the catch area: know exactly where your seafood was sourced.
🐟 Make confident, informed choices that support UK fishermen and the marine environment.
🦞 Recognise sustainability certifications — such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

As a marine biologist, commercial fisheries consultant and former warranted marine enforcement officer, I’ve spent years working alongside the UK fishing industry. Listening, learning, and advocating. I’m passionate about making marine science accessible and work to connect people with the fishermen, and the stories behind the seafood on our plates.

Scroll down to check out the infographic. Subscribe to the YouTube channel, where I’ll be breaking down UK commercial fishing, species ID, and how we can all play a part in a thriving ocean!

How to understand seafood labels – infographic

If you’ve ever stood in a shop staring at a packet of fish, wondering what the words on the label actually mean, you’re not alone. Understanding how to read seafood labels in the UK can be confusing but it’s one of the most powerful ways you can make better choices for the ocean, the environment, and our British fishing communities.

Knowing what’s really behind the label means you can:
Try delicious, under-used species like hake, gurnard, or monkfish.
Support the UK fishing industry directly.
Choose sustainable UK fish with confidence.
Avoid misleading marketing claims.