UK chefs show support for local fishermen
08 Dec 2011
In its first three months, 1,358 chefs and 136 UK fishing vessels signed up to the campaign
In its first three months, an incredible 1,358 chefs and 136 UK fishing vessels signed up to Direct Seafood’s Coastal Fish campaign.
Launched by Direct Seafoods in September 2011, the Coastal Fish programme aims to give long-term support to the UK’s troubled local fishermen and to create a viable domestic market for all fish species caught by the country’s coastal fleet.
While Direct Seafoods has long been a major buyer of fish caught in local waters and landed to harbour every morning, Coastal Fish expands the company’s product portfolio through its core strategy of paying a reasonable, sustainable price for the entire catch landed by coastal fleets.
The 22 boats that land to the Hastings Fish CIC fish merchants in the south east of England were the first UK fleet to sign up to the campaign.
Paul Joy, Chairman of the Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society, said: “Coastal Fish is an important tool for ensuring long-term viability of the fishing industry. It helps promote the sustainability of the fisheries that we have in Hastings and that we make the most of our catch.”
Commenting on the many chefs and caterers that are supporting Coastal Fish, Mr Joy said it is very important that the UK strives to make the most of all the species found in its waters, not just the current market favourites.
“Gurnard, dab, flounder and even cuttlefish are becoming more and more popular in this country. Looking back only recently, these fish would have gone to export. But the good news is people are trying things that they weren’t before,” said Mr Joy.
Coastal Fish works on a second, equally important level by actively encouraging restaurants and caterers to adapt the ways that they plan menus and create dishes that allow increased flexibility. It is Direct Seafoods’ strongly held belief that getting chefs to focus on variety will lead consumers in the same direction and will help society in general to understand that all species of fish - especially when fresh - are delicious.
The Coastal Fish programme has also received the support of the UK seafood authority Seafish.
Stephen Oswald, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Seafoods, said: “We believe Coastal Fish is a market changing sustainability programme. As well as providing much greater financial security to UK fishermen by immediately increasing the value of by-catch and therefore reducing the likelihood that it will be discarded, it’s designed to challenge restaurant goers to try lesser-known, currently under-valued local fish.”
≈~≈The Daily Catch Team≈~≈
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