London, UK - WWF UK has teamed up with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for Earth Hour to challenge people in the UK to support sustainable fishing and healthy oceans by sharing their #fishface on social media. By posting a #fishface photo in the run up to Earth Hour 2015, thousands of fish-faced ‘Ocean Heroes’ will help to raise awareness of sustainable fishing and spell out their support.
George Clark from the MSC, said: “We know that British consumers want sustainable fish in supermarkets and restaurants and last year the British public bought over £350 million of MSC labelled fish. #fishface is a fun way for each of us to show our support for sustainable fishing and build the demand for MSC labelled sustainable seafood.”
To launch the campaign, students in over 30 MSC certified universities will be championing #fishface. A sustainable fish and chip van will also be visiting select campuses to inspire students to suck in their cheeks and share their trout pout.
The campaign peaks on Earth Hour on 28th March at 8:30pm and Ocean Heroes are being encouraged to celebrate by choosing MSC labelled fish and enjoying a candlelit dinner. Earth Hour is the world’s biggest celebration for our planet with hundreds of millions of people in 162 countries switching off their lights for one hour in a spectacular and symbolic display of support. It’s a chance to take action to protect our planet – not just for one hour, but every day.
The power of sustainable choices
By making sustainable seafood choices when shopping or dining out, we can all contribute to the health of the oceans. By sharing a #fishface and choosing MSC labelled fish, shoppers are helping to improve fish stocks, reduce discards and start new research projects that minimise the impacts of fishing.
Earth Hour ambassador and #fishface supporter, chef Tom Aikens said: “It’s vitally important that as individuals we make sustainable seafood choices. #fishface is a fun way to raise awareness of how something as simple as choosing MSC can make a difference and fit into the bigger picture of healthy oceans. Earth Hour is a great reminder to us all to do our bit to protect the planet every day.”
For more information on how to get involved visit: wwf.org.uk/fishface
About WWF-UK
WWF is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, creating solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature thrive. Find out more about our work, past and present at wwf.org.uk
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour, organised by WWF, is a worldwide grassroots movement uniting people to protect the planet. Last year was the biggest yet, with hundreds of millions of people taking part across a record 162 countries and 7,000 towns and cities alongside world famous landmarks from the Sydney Opera House to Times Square in New York. Earth Hour continues to have a real and lasting impact beyond the hour, from crowdfunding to help protect critically endangered species, to campaigns to protect The Great Barrier Reef. In 2015 Earth Hour will be held on 28th March 2015 between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.
For more information on Earth Hour, please visit wwf.org.uk/earthhour #EarthHourUK