Fish as friends and food: The significance of Frank Buckland's observations and ideas for current fish consumption patterns

Baukje de Roos* (Corresponding Author)

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalFeaturepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Aquatic foods have formed an important part of our diets for centuries. Some of the first evidence of fishing comes from eastern Africa, based on bone harpoons found on the lakeshore of Ishango in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating back to 90,000 years ago (Braun et al., 2010). In the UK, herring dominated fish consumption in the Middle Ages, initially becoming a favorite food of the high-class society in the 13th and 14th centuries but then becoming a regular food for the common person 100 years later (Caux, 1881). In the 17th century, eating fish as a substitute for other animal products was authorized, which helped to create a stronger demand for fish, especially salmon, and in the 1780s, Perth's merchants shipped the first salmon packed in ice to London's Billingsgate fish market (Coates, 2006). The popularity of salmon was increasing dramatically, and by the mid-1870s it had become a signature food for the British Empire, with cases being shipped to Calcutta (now Kolkata), Cape Town, Melbourne, and Liverpool. Around that time, Scotland also had developed one of the largest herring fisheries in the world (Caux, 1881). It was at that time when Francis (Frank) Buckland, in his capacity as naturalist, conservationist, and “fish culturalist to the Queen,” called for research into fisheries, as fish stocks began to decline. But at the same time he also advocated the importance of fish in the diet, especially for those on lower incomes. His views on science underpinning the management of fish stocks in relation to trade and consumption are as actual and critical now as they were then...
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Fish Biology
Early online date30 Jan 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 30 Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Open Access via the Wiley Agreement

The research of Baukje de Roos is supported by the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS; RI-B5-04).

Data Availability Statement

No data availability statement.

Keywords

  • dietary recommendations
  • fish consumption and human health
  • fish consumption and planetery health
  • Frank Buckland
  • seafood production

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