Fish for Thought: Sustainable Seafood for a Festive Feast

Fish for Thought: Sustainable Seafood for a Festive Feast 

Elevate Your Holiday Table with Sustainable Seafood

Mussels

As the festive season approaches, consider adding a splash of seafood to your Christmas menu. Cork's talented fishmongers offer a wide array of fresh, sustainable seafood that's perfect for holiday gatherings. Not only does seafood add a touch of elegance to your table, but it also provides a wealth of health benefits. Packed with essential nutrients, seafood is a delicious and nutritious way to nourish your body and soul during the holiday season.

Sardines

Donagh Good, Managing Director of The Good Fish Company, located in Carrigaline, Douglas and Kinsale, said: “Where else would you get the freshest range of fish than your friendly local fishmonger? With their expert knowledge, they can guide you in choosing the perfect option and then prepare the fish to your liking and offer you tips for cooking. Whether for Christmas dinner or a New Year’s celebration, seafood is the perfect choice to create memorable meals that also support local businesses.”

Red Gurnard

Speaking about the nutritional benefits of including fish in festive menus, Sarah Keogh, Registered Dietician and Founder of eatwell.ie said: “Seafood is high in lean protein and packed with nutrients. Oil-rich fish like salmon is great for getting Vitamin D into your diet- a vitamin that Irish people tend to lack despite it being a key nutrient for maintaining healthy bones, muscles and teeth. Mussels are an excellent source of Omega 3 and could be a nice addition to the festive menu. Omega-3 is an essential nutrient that keeps you healthy from your head to your toes and helps keep your heart healthy. Vitamin B-12 contributes to reducing tiredness and fatigue while also helping support the normal function of the immune system. It can be found in crab, sea bass, rainbow trout, and scallops.”

For fish and seafood recipe inspiration and tips on preparing your festive fish, follow Cork’s local fishmongers:

Good Fish: Instagram - @goodfishshops, Facebook - Goodfishshops

Ballycotton Seafood: Instagram - @ballycottonseafood_, Facebook - Ballycotton Seafood Ltd

Keohane’s Seafood: Instagram - @keohaneseafoods, Facebook - Keohane’s Seafood Shop Cork

K O’Connells: Instagram - @ko_connells_fishmonger, Facebook - K O’Connell Fish Merchants

Pollock    

About BIM

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland's Seafood Development Agency, is delighted to support a community of independent seafood retailers and food service operators by sharing knowledge and capability to help drive business growth. 

At BIM, our aim has always been to help this community and our seafood producers and processors to achieve more and to be rewarded for their efforts. We seek ways for the Irish seafood sector to defend what is unique and yet still look for growth and improvement. 

Looking for recipes? Check Whole Catch by
Goldies' chef Aishling Moore

As consumers become more discerning about the food they consume, quality seafood has emerged as a favoured choice, showcasing its versatility, flavour, and health benefits. The health benefits associated with seafood have contributed to its success in both food service and retail. Seafood is rich in essential nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart health and cognitive function. 

Fish for breakfast in Wexford

In seafood retail, the demand for quality seafood is evident in independent seafood retailers and speciality seafood markets. Consumers increasingly prefer seafood that is responsibly sourced, in convenient formats and accompanied by trending tastes and flavours. Independent seafood retailers have a lot of knowledge and expertise that they share with their customers on a daily basis. They are responding by investing in quality seafood displays, offering ready-to-cook options, and providing information on the health benefits of seafood.

Mackerel

Nutritional benefits of fish and seafood

• Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Fish such as herring, mackerel, crab and rainbow trout are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for heart health, brain function, and overall well-being.

• High in Protein

• Fish is a lean source of protein, helping to build and repair tissues while supporting a healthy immune system. Cod, crab, hake and plaice are all rich in protein.

  

  Oysters Thermidor

  
  

• Low in Saturated Fat

• Many fish species are naturally low in saturated fats, making them a heart-healthy choice for holiday meals. Haddock, monkfish, cod and Atlantic Salmon are rich in potassium, which contributes to maintaining normal blood pressure.

• Packed with Essential Vitamins and Minerals 

• Fish provides essential nutrients such as vitamin D, selenium, and iodine, which support bone health, immune function, and thyroid health. Mussels, haddock and crab are good sources of iodine in particular and Atlantic salmon, swordfish and sea bass are all good sources of Vitamin B12.

  

  Cod