Fishing News is backing a new initiative to generate wider awareness of UK seafood and everything that is good about our industry, with Clyde-based Ian Wightman one of the many fishermen who have already registered their support. For a 24-hour period on 15 May, cookery writer Jenny Jefferies and SAGB chair Mike Warner are calling on people across the seafood sector to add the #Fish24 hashtag to their social media posts. “It costs nothing, will be fun, and can really raise awareness around the UK about the huge amount of dedication, work and skill that puts prime British seafood on our plates,” they said.

“I saw the success of previous campaigns that have used a 24-hour period to highlight UK farmed food, from the field to the plate, and thought that this was something ideally suited
to British seafood,” Jenny Jefferies told FN.

“We are after all an island nation. With over 19,000 miles of bountiful coastline, 11,000 fishermen and around 950 independent fish shops, market traders and fishmongers, the British fishing industry brings in a value of over £1bn to the UK economy.

“But it is more than money and jobs. From trawlermen posting videos of hauling at night, many miles from shore, through to early-morning sales on our auctions, from small fishmongers through to some of the best restaurants in Britain, there are so many tales to tell about the journey of our seafood on its way to feeding the nation.”

Mike Warner, who regularly provides social media updates about his own small seafood business and writing, said: “UK fishing individuals and businesses work hard all year round to ensure that the seafood on our plates is environmentally, ethically and economically sustainable. This is now an opportunity for us all to come together, to give thanks, and to find out how so many different people help put British fish and seafood onto our tables.

“Adding the #Fish24 tag to social media posts should generate a real momentum in raising the profile of so much of our industry that still goes unnoticed by many consumers – we’re asking everyone across the seafood sector to post pictures of their activities over a 24-hour period with the hashtag attached, and drive the message home about our industry, and the food we deliver to people’s plates.

“The day should allow us to deliver messages not just about the cultural and economic value of our seafood industry, but the nutritional benefits, the huge variety of seafood that we produce, and our environmental credentials.”

A wide range of individuals and organisations have already signalled their support for the initiative, which will start at 5am on 15 May, when CJ Jackson, campaigner, author and CEO of the Seafood School in Billingsgate Market, will be opening the campaign from Billingsgate.

Clyde prawn fisherman Ian Wightman, no stranger to social media himself, told FN: “I am looking forward
to getting involved in the upcoming Fish24 event and having an opportunity to share some of the behind-the- scenes parts of my job, from the steam out with – hopefully – a nice sunrise on a calm morning, to sharing some pictures of the catch, which will show how little bycatch we actually get in a targeted langoustine fishery.

“We might be entertained by the dolphins as we work. Watching them playing beside us in the crystal-clear waters is always a great way to forget about the stresses of life and something that we never take for granted – seeing some of nature’s wonders so close is really humbling.”

More details of the event can be found at the dedicated website here where the logo for the event can be downloaded to attach to your social media posts.

This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.50 here. 

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