Blog - The Fishmongers' Company

Bringing Fishing Voices into Westminster

Posted on July 17, 2019March 5, 2020 by Gavin O'Donnell

The Fishmongers’ Company plays a central role in convening around fisheries issues, forming an impartial, evidence-based and collaborative platform. One key element of this is our support for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries. By providing funding for and working together with Mindfully Wired Communications, who provide the secretariat for the APPG, we help to create a forum in which politicians can come together to learn about and discuss issues in the fisheries sector.

Co-chair Melanie Onn listens to contributions from leading figures in the fishing and seafood sector

Co-chaired by Sheryll-Murray MP (Conservative) and Melanie Onn MP (Labour) the APPG is a truly cross-party, collaborative initiative. Utilising funding from the Fishmongers’ Company, Mindfully Wired have supported the APPG to build a platform for industry figures to interact with parliamentarians and share their experience and expertise. These discussions are then converted into easy to understand, policy-focused briefings which create a go-to-resource for MPs and peers to support informed decision making within both houses.

The seminars cover a wide range of topics within the fisheries sector and have already discussed recruitment, careers on land and sea, and marketing and certification. By bringing in industry figures from a wide range of positions, locations and sectors the APPG is able to bring the full range of perspectives on some of the most pressing issues facing fishing and the seafood trade today. You can find out about the upcoming seminars here.

To ensure that these seminars are accessible to the full diversity of stakeholders involved in the fishing industry, the APPG utilises its funding to provide bursaries for fishermen and representatives of small businesses travelling from remote or far-away locations.

Marine Stewardship Council Rewards the best in Seafood Sustainability at Fishmongers’ Hall

Posted on July 9, 2019June 21, 2024 by Gavin O'Donnell

The Fishmongers’ Company welcomed leaders in seafood sustainability this week as the Marine Stewardship Council showcased the best in class in seafood sustainability at their Sustainable Seafood Forum and MSC UK Awards. Held at Fishmongers’ Hall and sponsored by the Fishmongers’ Company the awards recognised fisheries, retailers and brands at the forefront of sustainability in the seafood industry.

Part of our commitment to support a sustainable, prosperous seafood industry, the forum and awards were opened by Alison Freeman, one of the Company’s Fisheries Programme Managers, who outlined our diverse work in supporting sustainable fisheries across the UK. This was followed by the Sustainable Seafood Forum made up of a diverse panel of industry experts, fishermen and academics including: Michel Kaiser- Herriot Watt University, Robert Clark- Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Association, Mike Park- Scottish White Fish Producers Association and Aoife Martin- Seafish. The panel outlined the success of the MSC so far and discussed the challenges and opportunities in sustainable seafood.

Fisheries Programme Manager, Alison Freeman introduces the Company’s fisheries work

The afternoon concluded with the newly expanded awards ceremony that recognised the achievements of the MSC’s partners, from fisheries to fish counters and universities in promoting sustainable seafood and increasing its presence in the seafood market. A full list of the winners can be seen here.

The forum and awards provided another opportunity for the Company to promote and develop a sustainable seafood industry that supports both a healthy marine environment and prosperous coastal communities and fishing industry.

First Young Fishmonger of the Year Revealed at Master Fishmonger Standard Awards Ceremony

Posted on June 3, 2019October 1, 2019 by Gavin O'Donnell

Jordan Keig from Robinson’s Foods, Isle of Man, has been announced as the first winner of the Master Fishmonger Standard Young Fishmonger Award at a ceremony on 3 June at Fishmongers’ Hall.

Jordan was selected from a shortlist of four candidates by a combination of a public vote and a panel of certified Master Fishmongers. Open to fishmongers aged 25 and under, the Young Fishmonger Award recognises exceptional knife skills as well as customer service and passion for the industry. You can watch Jordan’s winning entry here.

A slightly shell-shocked Jordan said: “It still doesn’t feel real that I can now call myself MFS young fishmonger of the year 2019. I never thought I could achieve anything like this, so to go and win it is truly amazing. I would like to thank the MFS for providing such a brilliant award and for giving young people who love the seafood industry something to strive for”.

Jordan got into the industry through his girlfriend who worked at the market.

The announcement of the winner concluded the second Master Fishmonger Standard awards ceremony which certified 18 fishmongers, covering the full range of career levels from new entrants in the industry up to the Master tier, that requires at least 10 years’ experience in the trade. The MFS, managed by The Fishmongers’ Company, certifies fishmongers with extensive professional skills and knowledge and builds on the Company’s historic role in upholding standards in the industry since 1272.

The first female Master Fishmonger, Elaine Lorys from W Stevenson & Sons, Newlyn, whose story was recently covered by BBC Cornwall, also received her certification. John Watson of C Fayre Fishmongers also received his certificate making him the first Master from Scotland. The Standard’s lifetime achievement award, the Companion Fishmonger tier, also recognised four individuals, including Francis Coakley-Greene. Born into a family of fishmongers, Francis lead a delegation during ‘The Cod Wars’, for which he later gained recognition by becoming an Honorary Freeman of the City of London.

Master and Companion Fishmongers show off their certificates on the steps of Fishmongers’ Hall.

The ceremony was hosted by Alison Freeman, Fisheries Programme Manager at the Fishmongers’ Company, and included speeches from Giles Shaw, President of the National Federation of Fishmongers, who outlined the importance of accreditation in the sector, and CJ Jackson, CEO of The Seafood School at Billingsgate.

Click here to find your nearest certified fishmonger on the Master Fishmonger Standard scheme.

Fishmongers’ Company Rewards Sustainability at 2019 Fishing News Awards

Posted on May 17, 2019November 4, 2019 by Gavin O'Donnell

The Fishmongers’ Company is committed to supporting a fishing industry that is not only profitable but is also sustainable, ensuring a healthy future for our marine environment and the communities that depend on it. In doing so, the Company supports and rewards initiatives that promote sustainability within the fishing industry.

One way in which we do this is through our sponsorship of the annual Fishing News Sustainability Award that recognises and rewards outstanding innovation and achievement related to improving sustainability and environmental responsibility within the UK fishing industry. The winners are presented with their award at the annual Fishing News Awards dinner in Aberdeen.

The award is judged by the Fishmongers’ Company as part of a panel of experts. This year, with competition especially close, the award was shared between two initiatives: the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (SIFCA) – Poole clam and cockle fishery and the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association & Fisheries Innovation Scotland – study on scientific self-sampling.

The Poole clam and cockle fishery achieved a world first in 2018, gaining Marine Conservation Society and Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme certification for a single fishery. Working in partnership, fishermen and scientists have transformed an unregulated and unsustainable fishery into a blueprint for UK inshore fishery management in just five years through dialogue, trust and good science.

Pelagic fishermen in Scotland conduct self-sampling, boosting stock data.

The Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association & Fisheries Innovation Scotland – study on scientific self-sampling provides another great example of collaboration between scientists and the fishing industry. Fishermen often question scientific surveys and sampling techniques whilst scientists are often sceptical of the reliability of catch data. This feasibility study utilised self-sampling methods that enabled fishermen to directly contribute to stock assessments. This provides opportunities for the Scottish pelagic fleet to provide data that will feed into the management of their fisheries and explores how self-sampling schemes can be applied in fisheries which are currently data-poor.

Protecting Britain’s Rivers and Freshwater Species

Posted on April 26, 2019December 11, 2019 by Gavin O'Donnell

Britain’s freshwater environments are under threat from agricultural pollution, abstraction, obstruction and invasive species. These issues require hands-on, practical solutions supported by good science. Working with farmers, water companies and Government agencies, the Rivers Trust network does just that. With support from the Company, the network has become one of the most influential voices in UK freshwater management and now consists of over 70 catchment-based charities working to tackle the key issues in freshwater management.

Knightwick weir on the river Teme near Worcester is breached, opening up historic spawning grounds for Shad for the first time since the early nineteenth century

One example of the network’s work to reverse, rather than simply halt the declines in freshwater biodiversity is the “Unlocking the Severn” project. Managed by the Severn Rivers Trust, the project will reopen 158 miles of the river, allowing migratory fish to access critical spawning grounds. Weirs have already been removed at two sites on the River Teme whilst work has begun on two of the four state of the art fish passes located on weirs on the Severn.

Children from Powick School, near Worcester, being shown the exciting work on the River Teme

This ground-breaking project aims not only to secure the future of the Severn’s salmon and other protected fish species but to reconnect eight million people with the river, working with over 200 school classes, 100 community groups and generating thousands of volunteering opportunities.

Jonathan White, Chairman of the Rivers Trust described the project as “one of the largest river restoration projects ever attempted in Europe…this will help secure the long-term future of the Severn’s salmon population and many of the UK’s declining and protected fish species”

Working Together to Save Freshwater Fish

Posted on March 4, 2019November 4, 2019 by Gavin O'Donnell

Since 1970, the world has lost 80% of all animals that lived in freshwater habitats . In the UK and across the globe, pollution, dams, over-fishing and extraction of water for drinking, farming and industry mean that many species of freshwater fish now face imminent extinction. This loss has gone unnoticed for too long. To save the freshwater fish that remain we need strong, organised action right now.

That’s why the Fishmongers’ Company have partnered with environmental charities, zoos, aquariums and the pet trade to found SHOAL – a new initiative to increase awareness of the problems facing freshwater fish and to raise and direct funding to where it’s needed – on the ground conservation of endangered fish.

SHOAL is bringing researchers, businesses, charities, local communities and governments together to prioritise and fund the most pressing rescue projects, to halt the declining freshwater fish populations and protect our freshwater biodiversity.

Mike Baltzer, Director of SHOAL, sets out the partnership’s vision. Celebrity angler Jeremy Wade explains how his travels have highlighted the need to conserve our freshwater ecosystems. © Jim Pettiward

The Company is delighted to have hosted the launch of SHOAL at Fishmongers’ Hall on 1 March 2019 where special guest and celebrity angler Jeremy Wade joined aquarists, anglers, businesses, zoos and aquariums, conservation organisations and foundations. Mike Baltzer, Director of SHOAL, set out its vision to save and recover populations of the most threatened fish and other threatened freshwater species. By working collaboratively with this wide range of stakeholders SHOAL aims to capitalise on the expertise and passion presented by this group and is set to change the face of conservation funding and save the diversity of freshwater habitats and species.

Shellfish seed for the UK aquaculture industry.

Posted on January 7, 2019November 4, 2019 by Gavin O'Donnell

Those interested in UK shellfish cultivation and native oyster restoration have raised concerns about availability of hatchery produced seed (young shellfish) for the UK’s oyster and shellfish beds. We asked the experts. Responding to concerns among those who are keen to ensure that UK shellfish aquaculture is in a position to thrive and grown in coming years, The Fishmongers’ Company, working with key partners from the aquaculture industry, have undertaken a survey to ascertain industry priorities for securing the UK’s seed supply.

The resulting report, authored by the Company’s Fisheries Programme Manager Dr Eleanor Adamson, alongside Martin Syvret (Aquafish Solutions) and Dr Andy Wolmer (Mumbles Oyster Company), outlines opinions from across the industry regarding the current and future demand for shellfish seed.

Click here to download the full report

The report’s findings highlight that amongst pacific oyster growers, the largest market for hatchery produced seed, there is generally little concern regarding seed availability and plans for expansion are limited. The research found that the existing UK-based hatcheries had sufficient capacity to supply quantities exceeding the current market demand, raising significant questions regarding the business case for up-scaling the level of commercially produced oyster seed.

However, the research also found that British hatcheries are having to work harder to produce the same volumes of shellfish seed. These findings highlight that there could prove a strategic case to support current hatchery businesses to maintain capacity in disease-free areas and the UK’s seed supply.

Click here to download the full report