ITS Students were in for a surprise during their lunch break, as the Eat Fresh Fish trailer was present at the Institute of Tourism Studies in Pembroke to kick off the launch of an intervention aimed at promoting the benefits of eating fresh fish as part of a healthy diet.

These school visits are intended to help students explore the importance of fresh fish with the aim of instilling healthy attitudes and behaviours, as well as creating a ripple effect to their parents and families.

Roderick Galdes, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, lauded this initiative and highlighted how this awareness campaign aims to boost demand for underutilised fish species such as chub mackerel (kavall), saddled seabream (kaħli), gilthead seabream (awrat), european seabass (spnott) and european hake (merluzz).

The Eat Fresh Fish campaign is an EU co-funded project led by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and supported by relevant stakeholders and project partners such as Għaqda Koperattiva tas-Sajd, the Malta Chef Society, St. Peter Foundation, the Fishing Trawlers Association, fish4tomorrow, the Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers and Kooperattiva Nazzjonali tas-Sajd. The campaign is co-financed at 75% EU Funds and 25% National Funds.

In the following days, the awareness campaign will see the Eat Fresh Fish trailer visiting a number of schools and different locations through road shows and fish fairs around Malta and Gozo. Recipes and other information will be given, accompanied by chefs who will show the public how to cook easy and tasty recipes at home and taste the final product.

Fresh fish is one of the healthiest foods suitable for all ages, and therefore it is an important part of everyone’s diet. Fresh fish is the major source of omega 3 fats, high in good quality protein and low in saturated fat. It is also rich in nutrients such as Vitamin D and selenium.