National campaign about fish consumption launched

Roderick Galdes launches national campaign on fish consumption

Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Roderick Galdes launched a national campaign earlier today, to raise awareness about the nutritional value of fish and the importance of having fish in our diets.

“The main aim of this campaign is to increase fish consumption on the Maltese islands through a special focus on three different aspects: education, strengthening awareness and adding diversification in consumption,” Galdes said.

According to Galdes, the campaign is a response to the fact that in Malta fish consumption is much lower than recommended.

“Experts recommend that people should eat around ten kilos of fish every year, whereas the average in Malta stands at little more than six kilos every year,” Galdes said.

Galdes also said that according to recent local research, four out of ten Maltese people admitted that they do not eat fish.

Galdes reiterated that the campaign aims to make fish consumption more common, and more diversified.

“Unfortunately, the list of fish species preferred by Maltese people is rather limited, and very often, perfectly tasty and healthy fish are ignored. As a result, the more commonly in-demand fish species continue to see their prices rising and stocks depleting.”

Galdes listed some of the species that should become more popular due to their nutritional value and their constant presence in the market. The list included mackerel and cod among others.

“Part of the campaign will involve the distribution of leaflets containing recipes and nutritional values of the different fish. It will also include cooking lessons, social media campaigns, television and radio spots as well as billboards and various fish fares and school visits around the Maltese islands.”

Galdes said that the campaign will have a budget of around half a million euros, 75% of which will be funded by the European Fisheries Fund.

“The campaign, which will be running for around four to six months, has the ultimate aim to raise awareness about the importance of eating fish and the  different species of fish people don’t traditionally eat.”