I only eat fish if it’s battered or in breadcrumbs, nearly half of public admit
Four in 10 people only eat fish if it is in batter or breadcrumbs, a survey has found.
Although more than half of respondents professed their love for seafood. Meanwhile 43 per cent admitted they only eat it if it is coated, according to a survey of 2,000 people commissioned by the Marine Stewardship Council.
Despite being an island nation, the poll also found that British people know relatively little about seafood.
More than half of those surveyed were unaware that John Dory was a type of fish, with 12 per cent confusing the prized sea fish for a famous poet.
Eight per cent thought coley was a plant and six per cent thought hake was a garden tool for clearing leaves. A further six per cent said the only pollock they were aware of was the American artist, Jackson Pollock.
Britons were revealed to be creatures of habit, with 33 per cent never having tried hake and 34 per cent avoiding scallops - figures which rose to 37 per cent for squid, 45 per cent for Octopus, 51 per cent for turbot and 53 per cent for red mullet.
Other culinary unknowns were anchovies, with 39 per cent of those quizzed never having tried them, lobster (35 per cent), crab (25 per cent) and plaice (24 per cent).
James Strawbridge, chef, writer and MSC UK ambassador said: “Trying new varieties of fish can sometimes be a little bit daunting, as this research shows.
“As a chef, I think it’s really important to support the UK public in learning the different types of amazing and delicious fish and seafood species that are out there and gaining the confidence and skills to buy, prepare and cook them.
“For me, there’s nothing better than pan frying a fresh hake fillet, or barbecuing a wonderful fresh scallop right on the grill.”
Some 86 per cent admitted they only eat the fish they know, with just 39 per cent confident enough to cook a whole fish.
The most common causes for steering clear of fish were the bone count (36 per cent), expense (29 per cent), taste uncertainty (26 per cent), and not knowing how to prepare it (23 per cent).
Despite this, 79 per cent said they would like to be more adventurous with fish and seafood.
The “big five” dominate the rankings for the seafood Britons eat most, with 70 per cent for cod, 58 per cent for tuna, 53 per cent for salmon, 50 per cent for haddock and 46 per cent for prawns.
Bristol is the fish-eating capital of the UK, where they eat six portions of fish or seafood a month, compared to Stoke-on-Trent where they eat just four.
George Clark, MSC UK & Ireland Programme Director, said: “This poll shows a fantastic opportunity for Brits to improve their fish knowledge and seafood skills.
“When it’s a sustainable choice, there are plenty more fish in the sea.”