Islanders are not big fish eaters

The Balearics may be surrounded by water but they are at the bottom of the list when it comes to eating fresh fish, according to a report compiled by the ministry of agriculture and fisheries. The biggest fresh fish eaters are from Asturias, La Rioja, Castilla-Leon, Catalonia and Navarre, who consume an average of more than 22 kilos per person per year. This is more than double that of people in the Canary Islands, the Balearics, Extremadura and Valencia. The Balearics are still at the bottom of the list when frozen fish, shellfish, molluscs and canned fish are included. The survey shows that average consumption of fresh fish throughout Spain is 13.3 kilos per person per year and of all fish products, 26.7 kilos per person. These figures are 24 per cent higher than five years ago. This is attributed to greater concern for health and food safety, an increase in the number of working women and the growth in money spent in eating out.