Hans J Marter

16 May, 2007

MONKFISH are returning to Asda's supermarket shelves after the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) removed the species from its list of "fish to avoid".

Several fishing industry websites yesterday (Tuesday) reported that Asda had lifted the ban, but when contacted by the Shetland News a spokeswoman for the supermarket giant was unable to confirm the move.

The supermarket failed to supply a statement confirming the change of company policy.

Earlier this year, fishermen in Shetland and in Scotland were up in arms after Asda removed northern stock monkfish from its shelves following advice from the MCS.

A concerted effort by the industry supported by scientists form the NAFC Marine Centre, in Scalloway, convinced the MSC that monkfish stocks in the area were not under threat, and indeed healthy.