Fishy tune has eco message

7:48pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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There is something fishy about an Oxford band's latest single.

Acoustic folk band Stornoway have released their latest track The Good Fish Guide to encourage people to eat fish ethically.

Based on the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) guidelines of the same name, the band want to raise awareness of the problems facing marine life caused by over-fishing.

All the profits from the sale of the single - which is now available to buy on iTunes - will be donated to the MCS.

Lead singer and songwriter Brian Briggs, 28, said: "In my other life I'm a conservationist. I work in the field of ecology and environmental sciences and I'm quite passionate about all things conservation-related.

"I came up with the idea while sitting in the audience for a really boring talk. The Good Fish Guide was on the wall and I started coming up with rhymes for the fish and put them into a song.

"Many of our favourite fish are being eaten to the verge of extinction, so the single basically lists which fish you should and should not eat.

"People tend to go for the same fish, cod or haddock or plaice, but there are loads of other fish out there that are just as tasty but people don't know about them."

The band, who formed about two years ago, are made up of keyboard player John Ouin, 27, brothers Rob Steadman, 17, on drums and Ollie Steadman, 19, on bass and Mr Briggs's younger brother Adam, 25.

Mr Briggs said: "We've played this song a few times now at gigs and our fans absolutely love it. It's a serious subject, but we have approached it in a very fun way."

Bass player Mr Steadman said: "Every song we do is always fun to listen to, but this one has got an educational message as well.

"People need to know that certain types of fish are becoming endangered.

"Whenever we buy fish we always go to the local fishmongers and ask where the fish came from and how it was caught.

"It's good to be more aware."

The single is also going to be released as part of a five-track EP, also called The Good Fish Guide.

The band will be playing a launch gig at the Oxford Academy, in Cowley Road, on Saturday, May 24.

To buy their single, go to the band's website at myspace.com/stonoway