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Brixham Fishing Industry: Preparing for a Sustainable Future The highest quality of Seafish and Seafood. A magical journey, from boat to throat! "Seafood Devon and Dorset" is here again in Brixham, still working with fishermen, the harbour authorities, fish merchants and fish processors to ensure that every fish landed and sold is of the highest quality. They have Fish Quality advisers who conduct inspections on boar vessels. This work is done with support from and through the SFIA Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS), on the fish markets and in fish processing units and factories. Our fish is caught wild, using methods developed locally, from well managed and sustainable Channel and West fish-stocks. It is delivered quickly and in prime condition, so that you can be sure that your seafood is fresh and natural.
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Thriving Industry
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Fishing is a vital part of the Southwest heritage, and the industry in Brixham is thriving today, as for decades. Here in Brixham there are boats of every variety, ranging in length from 5 metres to 40 metres, netting, trawling, potting, beam-trawling, mid-watering, scallop dredging, angling and so on. Brixham fish landings last year amounted to £22 millions, first sale value.
The Southwest fishing industry has acknowledged the concerns expressed and voiced by environmentalists and consumers and has taken bold steps to ensure stocks are well managed and exploited within safe and sustainable limits for the sake of future generations. There are new and exciting challenges facing fishermen like those in the Channel and West Sustainable Trawling Group, many of those members here in Brixham are determined to secure Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Accreditation for key fisheries, Megrim, Anglerfish and Dover Sole. Other groups of professional fishers have formed Associations in the region and have initiated MSC Accreditation process for Scallops and Sprats. Many of the species on the Marine Conservation Society "Good Fish List" are regularly caught from Southwest fisheries and are landed here in Brixham and we are working with MCS to ensure their information to you is as up to date as possible.
Beam trawling and scallop dredging are fishing methods whose impact on the seabed are widely reported. Skippers have been redesigning and lightening their beaming gear. Roller wheels have replaced sledges, square mesh and larger cod-ends ensure non commercial benthic material and by-catch remains on the seabed. Landed fish quality has never been better and there are fuel savings for towing more efficiently. For 2011, several local beam trawler owners have been granted additional fish quotas as reward for allowing "full documentation and monitoring" of all fishing operations using CCTV and electronic vessel tagging devices. This innovative technology may be rolled out to other owners once the efficacy has been proven.
Skippers of scallop dredgers have been working with scientists to map the seabed. By knowing where the boundaries of the scallop beds and fishing grounds are, these fishers can avoid going into sensitive areas where the habitat is precious and warrants further protection. Satellite technology is in use to monitor position information. Local skippers are engaged in trials of cost effective monitoring and reporting technology for inshore boats that is already being used to enable them to access fishing areas adjacent to sensitive features.
In these ways, the SW fishing industry is demonstrating how seriously they take their responsibilities for looking after fisheries and the marine environment. By working in partnership with environmental NGOs, marine scientists and officials at DEFRA/MFA, our fishing grounds and the seas in which they thrive, are in safe hands, now and for the future.
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Variety & Quality
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The diversity and quality of fish and shellfish landed in Brixham and other SW fishing ports is unrivalled in the UK. There are more than forty different and distinct commercial species, with marked seasonal variations throughout the year. Of reknown amongst them are Crab, Dover Sole, Cuttlefish, Squid, Angerfish (commonly known as Monkfish), Lemon Sole, Sprats, Pollack, Mackerel and Scallops. "Of these 40 different fish species, only 12 are subject to catch quotas".
From Bass, Brill and Bream to Sole, Squid and Scallops, there is plenty of choice and fresh fish is always available. Why not take the Seafood Devon and Dorset taste challenge and try Devon's Dover Sole, delicious Brixham Sprats, beautiful Lyme Bay Scallops or maybe some Start Bay Crab? It's all here at Fishstock Brixham today.
Seafood is nutritious, easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. It is the original "fast food" and it is still the nation's favourite! Celebrate 150 years of Fish and Chips today at Fishstock Brixham 2011. High quality fish and shellfish that is caught in the crystal clear waters off the southwest coastline, is served daily in quality restaurants here in Brixham and throughout the County. It can be bought from a range of suppliers serving the general public and catering trade, on-line, from a van, or from your local shop. With such a variety of fresh seafood available, why not experiment a little? By some today to try at home tomorrow? Seafood Devon and Dorset is Caught with Pride! Have a great day! Best fishes.
Jim Portus, Chief Executive of South Western Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. Organisers and Sponsors of Fishstock Brixham 2011.
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