Brits urged to buy fish as UK export markets are cut off
UNITED KINGDOM
Wednesday, April 08, 2020, 00:00 (GMT + 9)
Shoppers are being encouraged to try UK-caught produce as fishermen struggle with the impact of the coronavirus crisis. A number of skippers have decided to leave their vessels tied up because restaurants and chippies are closed, supermarkets have shut their fish counters and the export markets to Europe and China have been cut off. But some are still going out to fish, and are selling what they catch online or door-to-door. Seafood industry expert Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said: ‘This is a good time for consumers to try different fish where they can get access to them.
‘Some of the more exotic species are not going abroad or into the restaurant trade, so there’s no reason why prices should not be low. ‘There’s Dover sole, crab, lobster, scallops that could be available.’
He added there had been rapid growth in fishermen starting up doorstep sales. But he said: ‘I don’t think this will substitute the main supply chains – it won’t be anything of that magnitude.’ Seafish, which supports the British seafood industry, has provided online advice about selling directly to consumers.
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Director Hazel Curtis said: ‘We export around 80% of the fish and shellfish caught around the UK, so some fishing boat owners are adapting and finding ways to sell their catch directly to fishmongers or to the general public.
Author: Sian Elvin/MetroUK | Read full story here
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