Manufacturers of fish-based food products may be inclined to change the peelable labels on what they ship to retailers after advice was given to consumers by one expert.

Emily Howgate from Good Catch, a joint project between the Marine Conservation Society, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), SeaWeb's Seafood Choices and Sustain, encouraged people in supermarkets to check what they buy for sustainability.

"Look for an eco-label you trust, like [that of] the MSC and try to begin to have a conversation with your fishmonger ... ask the question of how and where it is caught or farmed," she advised.

The expert pointed out that doing this will raise the issue of over-fishing and may encourage manufacturers to use supply chains that are sustainable.

Producers who already use sustainable sources may also want to indicate this using peelable labels.

Earlier this month, fisheries minister Richard Benyon emphasised the need for consumers to choose more varied types of fish when shopping.

Denny Bros Ltd, 20 July 2011