Trawlermen’s leaders have accused the BBC of damaging the Scottish fleet after hit show MasterChef backed advice blacklisting North Sea cod.
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is furious millions of viewers are being told the species should be avoided.
Chief executive Bertie Armstrong said the message – which viewers are directed to at the end of each programme – was “a kick in the teeth” for the skippers and crews who have made great sacrifices to help the stock recover.
The broadcaster takes the controversial advice from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which has already been accused of jeopardising Scottish fishing jobs by refusing to endorse the species.
Mr Armstrong said the position was “quite simply wrong”.
“The current MCS advice on cod is totally perplexing and underlines the lightweight and superficial nature of their traffic-light scheme for eating fish,” he said.
“Here we have a stock that is carefully managed under a long-term plan and which is showing rapid recovery, with the independent science predicting another significant increase in the stock this year.
“The MCS advice is quite simply wrong and totally discredits their guide to eating sustainable seafood.
“Our industry has made huge efforts and sacrifices to ensure the recovery of the cod stock and the promotion of negative messages such as this is like a kick in the teeth.”
The MCS believes cod – a centrepiece of fish-and-chip suppers for generations, particularly south of the border – remains a “Fish to Avoid”.
The group says it is still too soon to put it back on our plates, despite there being scientific evidence to the contrary.
Tom Pickerell, technical director at Seafish, the body representing the UK’s fishing industry, also said stocks were recovering.
The MCS said yesterday it was standing by its advice and used the “best available science”.
A spokeswoman said: “This science shows that cod stocks in the North Sea have only now, after years of restrictions and hard work from the fishing industry, just come up to precautionary limits.”
Producers of MasterChef – which is fronted by John Torode and Gregg Wallace – said they were willing to review the situation. A spokesman added: “We are very keen to give out the right advice with regards to sustainable fish.
“We refer to the Marine Conservation Society guidelines but we appreciate this is an ever-changing situation and welcome any updated information.”
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