Welsh fishermen will be travelling to Cornwall next week to look at ways to add value to their catch and bring more Welsh caught fish and seafood to the marketplace.
The study tour has been organised by Cywain Fisheries – a project launched in 2011 to help the fishing sector add value to primary produce.
Cornwall is famed for its fishing industry and the 11 strong group drawn from across Wales, will visit a number of locations to see how the Cornish industry operates in today’s marketplace.
First stop will be Newlyn Fish Market where the group will tour the processing facilities of fresh fish and seafood specialists, Matthew Stevens.
Newlyn Harbour is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the country will around 700 vessels and 1,200 fishermen operating out of its 49 landing stations – with fresh fish landings annually contributing around £20 million.
The Cywain delegation will see how the fish is prepared and packed, learn about the dedicated shellfish area and see the crab pickers in action.
From there it is on to Padstow, and following lunch at the famous Stein’s fish and chip restaurant, the visit continues at the National Lobster Hatchery.
The National Lobster Hatchery is a pioneering marine conservation, research and education charity. Its primary aim is to help conserve the vulnerable lobster populations and preserve coastal marine biodiversity.
The Hatchery is a world-renowned centre for excellence in lobster science and welcomes over 40,000 per year to learn about the fishery and the sustainability issues it faces.
The history of the Port of Looe as a trading and fishing port can be traced back to pre-medieval times, and it is here the Cywain group will see smaller scale processing being undertaken at Pengelly’s Fishmongers.
For almost half a century Pengelly’s have been supplying local people and the finest Cornish restaurants with the freshest selection of fish and shellfish from the day-boat fleet of Looe and Polperro.
Said Jon Parker, Cywain Development Manager South Wales, “The aim of this visit is to see the added value and processing activities being undertaken in Cornwall by a range of businesses large and small.”
Said Caroline Dawson, Cywain Development Manager North Wales, “The visit aims to encourage fishermen to process their catch and add value using Cywain support.
“The study tour to Cornwall will give fishermen an opportunity to witness first hand routes to market and added value opportunities.
“The visit follows the Cornish catch from the Port of Newlyn to Mathew Stevens Processing unit, where fishermen will have a guided tour from Mathew himself.
“Hooked restaurant buys fish direct from Newlyn Port, so fishermen will also get the chance to taste that day’s catch.”
Taking part in the study tour are Len and Mandy Walters of St Dogmaels based Cardigan Bay Shellfish.
It is very much a family business, with the catch changing with the seasons. Mr Walters has been fishing for over 30 years and has now been joined by his son Aaron.
They fish lobster all year-round, adding spider crabs, bass and Mackerel during the spring and summer months and Cardigan Bay scallops in the winter. Also in the spring and summer Len and Aaron – who both hold special licences – fish the River Teifi for sewin and salmon.
Most of their catch is exported live to the Continent, but they are looking at ways to add value with Mandy processing the crab and lobster and selling it locally and at farmers markets.
“We’re looking forward to the study tour,” said Mr Walters. “The Cornish have been very successful in gaining funding and building a good infrastructure. There are quite a lot of big lobster and crab processors and it will be interesting to see what scope there is for from the point of view of a smaller business.”
Qualified marine biologist Mike Smith and his wife Joanna are keen to learn more about sustainability and collaboration in the fishing industry.
The couple’s business, Porth Colmon Seafood, on the Lleyn Peninsula is still relatively young, and they are hoping the Cywain study tour will give them an insight into how fishermen in their area can work together and add value to their catch.
Currently they fish for Bass, Mackerel, Pollock and crab, which are sold locally and at a Llandudno wholesaler as well as supplied to restaurants in the area.
“We are interested to see how the fishermen in Cornwall store and process their catch and how it can be taken to the next level, as well as the way it is marketed,” said Joanna.
“We are just starting off on our own so it would be good to see how established businesses operate.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Cywain Fisheries
Cywain Fisheries is funded through the European Fisheries Fund with match funding from the Welsh Government.
Cywain Fisheries helps the fishing sector add value to primary produce through developing new products or markets, with an emphasis on collaboration. The hope is that effective collaboration will assist in the creation of a sustainable future for the sector.
The assistance available encompasses support through facilitation, expert advice and a quality mentoring service with a strong emphasis on adding value.
The aim is to build the capacity and confidence of the participants in order to enable them to take ownership of the new venture and to encourage them to make the most of its potential.
The project also provides a clear focus on the needs and desires of customers.
To date some 56 fishermen, fishmongers and processors have been supported by Cywain Fisheries, establishing and creating 107 markets and products. This in turn has safeguarded 56 jobs and created 18 new jobs.
For more information about Cywain Fisheries please contact:
Myrddin Davies
Cywain Manager
01745 770273 / 07964 354674
myrddin.davies@menterabusnes.co.uk
Caroline Dawson
01745 770272
caroline.dawson@menterabusnes.co.uk
Jon Parker
07841 869893
jon.parker@menterabusnes.co.uk
Related Links:
http://matthewstevens-cornishfish.co.uk/
https://www.rickstein.com/eat-with-us/steins-fish-chips/