Heathrow leads the way with sustainability goal and changing out 4 million fish meals a year The least sustainable varieties if fish will be completely off the menu in a year

Heathrow Airport has been named the world’s first accredited for serving sustainable seafood.

Red-rated fish – the least sustainable varieties according to the Marine Conservation Society – is mostly off the menu already.

And where it still exists, the airport and restaurants have pledged to remove it completely by June 2020.

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Millions of fish meals

Red fish types include wild Atlantic salmon, bluefin tuna and king prawns from non-certified farms.

Sustain, which promotes sustainable food, said: “Every partner at Heathrow has investigated the source of their seafood and made positive changes where required. ”

For Heathrow, it was more than just a quick email to staff to become sustainable.

It caters to 80 million passengers across five terminals, in 37 restaurants and cafes.

More than 20 fish species were used – with tuna and salmon the most popular items – in the 4 million or so fish meals served each year.

Ben Crowley, the head of food and beverage at Heathrow, said: “We’re immensely proud to be able to offer travellers the very best, whilst showing that quality and taste need not cost the ocean.

“The full process to reach the accreditation has included revising the sourcing of family favourites, including cod and salmon, so that they meet the highest standards of sustainability; creating new dishes with delicious sustainable species, such as coley.”

Sushi changes

Heathrow’s sustainability project has also seen ripple effects.

The sushi chain Yo! – which had the widest range of fish species in any single Heathrow restaurant menu – has extended the initiative across their entire operation.

Carluccio’s is bringing less well known seafood to its menus like clams and crabs.

Ruth Westcott, co-ordinator of the sustainable fish airports campaign, said: “Visitors should be excited and proud that they don’t need to worry about where their fish comes from when they eat in Heathrow Airport.

“I am particularly proud of the businesses that have taken this opportunity to change the fish supplied across their whole business, not just the outlets in Heathrow.

At Yo!, Charlotte Whalley, head of customer experience, said: “It’s wonderful to be part of a community of like-minded businesses at Heathrow: Sustainable Fish Airport, dedicated to preserving the future of our oceans.”

The pledge does not extend to the in-flight catering provided by airlines using Heathrow.