EWS-WWF (Emirates Wildlife Society in association with the WWF) has added three additional species of fish to the Choose Wisely consumer guide just in time for the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Two species have been added to the “Go for it” green category within the Choose Wisely campaign and are the recommended sustainable fish for family Iftar gatherings.

These species are the Shaam (Yellow Fin Seabream) and the Hilali (Blackspotted Rubberlip) fish. The third species, the Beyah Arabi (Blue Spot Mullet) fish, has been added to the “Good choice but there’s better” orange category.

The Hilali fish with its neon yellow fins and small leopard spots is a colourful addition to the campaign and is not, as yet, commonly used in the kitchen.  The Shaam also has accents of yellow and is great used in sweet and sour recipes combining chilli and sweet fruits. Both fish make great alternative choices for home cooked meals.

“Ramadan is one of the most important times of the year when family and friends gather together to break their fast and reflect on what is important. With spirituality at the core of Ramadan, we also want people to think about our environment and natural habit. By cooking sustainable recipes at a time of sharing, residents of the UAE can help spread positive messages for change by making educated decisions,” stated Darren Hiltz, Conservation Officer with EWS-WWF.

“Small changes to our eating habits can make a difference and help all of us take positive steps to ensure future generations will benefit from a healthy ecosystem.”

These two species are in plentiful supply in UAE waters and are not pressured by overfishing, that’s why they join the ‘Go for it’ green category. This brings the total species of sustainable fish options to nine, giving cooks at home a huge range of tasty options to treat loved ones to this Ramadan.

The Choose Wisely campaign was launched by EWS-WWF to combat the growing problem of overfishing in the UAE by increasing consumer awareness.  The public were given the chance to share their tried and tested recipes with other foodies, the top 20 of which make up the Sustainable Fish Recipe cookbook.

“We hope to continue introducing more sustainable options to UAE residents. We also hope that UAE residents will continue to explore the culinary tastes of sustainable fish and help expand our recipe database on www.choosewisely.ae, by submitting their recipes during Ramadan,” added Hiltz.  - TradeArabia News Service