PLANS to urge people to eat more ethically sourced fish have been condemned as a further step towards the "nanny state" by Westcountry fisheries leaders.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is launching a consultation on whether to signpost shoppers towards species not thought to be at risk from over-fishing.

But Nathan de Rozarieux, project director of Seafood Cornwall, an EU-funded fisheries programme, said consumers were already well-informed and the FSA should steer clear.

"The FSA is just trying to be politically correct. I am very supportive of their advice for people to eat more fish, but if the agency takes the time to look at the science and at the evidence, they would see how far the industry has come on.

"There is so much bad news about non-sustainable cod stocks in the North Sea, for example, but if you look at the recent quota allocation, it went up by 30 per cent."

Mr de Rozarieux said consumers were aware – now more than ever – of sustainability issues and there were many highly successful, accredited schemes, such as one that tagged line-caught sea bass and enabled people to pinpoint exactly where and who caught their fish.

The watchdog should have spoken to sustainability experts and fishermen first "rather than taking this very public step" because "the FSA does not need to be the nanny state".

Jim Portus, of the South West Fish Producers' Organisation, said that sustainability issues were a driving force of the industry and it was a mistake to think fishermen were interested in jeopardising their future livelihood by destroying stocks.

Instead, the FSA should "stick to their job" of ensuring the nation's well-being and leave sustainability issues to others.

He added: "Thanks for your advice. The industry has got the message, the fisheries department has got the message, the fishermen have got the message, the EU in Brussels has got the message and we are all striving to achieve it."

The FSA already advises that everyone should eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be an oily fish like mackerel. Its latest consultation paper is more geared towards environmental than health concerns.

It is thought to have been influenced by campaigns staged by the Marine Stewardship Council and Marine Conservation Society, which advise consumers on sustainability of stocks.

It has been estimated that a quarter of the world's fishing stocks are at risk from over-fishing, but the figures are highly contentious.

Many fishermen working on the front line say the science which underpins these findings is years old and fish stocks have never been healthier.

FSA head of nutrition Rosemary Hignett said: "Eating fish has considerable health benefits, so we will continue to encourage consumption as part of a drive to improve public health.

"But we recognise the potential impact our advice may have on demands for fish.

"'We know that issues relating to sustainability are important to consumers.

"By helping to ensure they have access to clear and reliable information about sustainable sources of fish, consumers will be able to make more informed choices."