November 2006

CUT OUT THE FISH!

The Vegetarian Society urges consumers to stop eating fish
and help save dwindling fish stocks

The Vegetarian Society has launched a campaign to get the British public to ‘cut out the fish’ and help save the ocean’s sea-life reserves.

The move comes in the light of further evidence that global fish stocks could be almost eliminated within 50 years if current trends continue. The report, in the American journal, Science, states that fish stocks have declined to such an extent that supplies could be wiped out by as early as 2048.

One way the public could assist in halting this shocking decline would be to go vegetarian, says The Vegetarian Society. In response, the society will be distributing over 100,000 leaflets in the coming months to help send home the message: “Cut out the fish”.

Collette Walsh, spokesperson for The Vegetarian Society, added: “This report is yet another good reason to go vegetarian. The devastating impact of over-fishing is clearer than ever and we urge all fish consumers to think twice. A balanced vegetarian diet offers all the nutrients required for optimum health. There’s simply no need to eat fish, or poultry and meat for that matter.”

Ends

Why vegetarians don’t eat fish?

Fish are ANIMALS! And vegetarians do not eat animals. But they still get offered fish in restaurants, cafes, functions, and even in the homes of well-meaning friends and family. The Vegetarian Society has also produced this graphic leaflet explaining why veggies DON’T EAT FISH. It illustrates the impact of the fishing industry on wildlife, the environment, and of course, the poor fish themselves.

Copies of the leaflet are available free of charge from The Vegetarian Society, 0161 925 2000, www.vegsoc.org/fish

Notes for editors

• The Vegetarian Society of the UK (founded in 1847) was the first organisation worldwide to adopt the term “vegetarian”. The Vegetarian Society’s definition of a vegetarian is:

‘Someone who eats no meat, poultry, fish, shellfish or crustacea and also avoids the by-products of the slaughterhouse such as gelatine, rennet and animal fats.’ The majority of vegetarians eat free-range eggs.

• Please contact Collette Walsh for further information, interviews and photography. The Vegetarian Society Press Office: 0161 925 2012. Email: collette@vegsoc.org

• Outside office hours The Vegetarian Society Press Office can be contacted on 07973 108 165.

• Alternatively visit the website for lots more information at www.vegsoc.org.