ed’s letter

Why do we eat fish on Good Friday? And why, on this bountiful island with its superlative catch, do we eat so much imported fish and seafood? In answer to both, it depends to some extent on who you ask. Broadly speaking, Christians avoid the flesh of warmblooded animals on this holy day to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus, but some say we are as free to eat reptiles as to feast on flathead next Friday, given both are cold-blooded and considered fair game. We explore the answer to the second question in our cover story today, as customers demand to know where their restaurant fish really comes from. Also this week we investigate an alarming shortage of local sperm, with our best-known IVF clinic forced to import in order to meet surging new demand from a growing demographic. And we also have an encouraging story for tortured would-be novelists, as best-selling author and writing coach Fiona McIntosh shares her top tips.