Seafishing and high quality seafood, sold under the “Responsible Fishing Scheme” (RFS) are alive and well, here in Brixham. By working with fishermen, the harbour authorities, fish merchants and fish processors RFS ensures that every fish landed and sold is of the highest quality. Fish Quality advisers conduct inspections on-board vessels and in the markets. This work is done with support from the industry on the fish markets and in fish processing units and factories. Brixham fish is caught wild, using methods developed locally, from well-managed and sustainable Channel and Western Waters fish-stocks. It is delivered quickly and in prime condition, so you can be sure that your seafood is fresh and natural.

Come and join us on the journey from boat to throat! Brixham fish is “Caught with Pride”. Our fishermen are committed to quality, from catcher to consumer.

A thriving industry

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 5metres to 40metres, netting, trawling, potting, beam-trawling, mid-water trawling, scallop dredging, angling and so on. Brixham fish landings last year amounted to £24millions, first-sale value.

The Southwest fishing industry has acknowledged the concerns expressed by environmentalists, multiple retailers 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 whose members here in Brixham are determined to secure FAO Responsible Fishing Accreditation for key fisheries, Megrim, Anglerfish and Dover Sole. Dover Sole is one of the stocks celebrated by the Commission in Brussels as fished already at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), a target reached 3-years ahead of schedule!

Other groups of professional fishers have formed Associations in the region and have initiated the 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, the consumer is as us to date and accurate as possible.

Beam trawling and scallop dredging are fishing methods whose impacts on the seabed are widely reported. Skippers have been redesigning and lightening their beam trawling gear. Rollers wheels have replaced sledges, square mesh and larger mesh 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 from towing more efficiently. For 2012 as in 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. (Type in this link for a video Ch4 News article.  http://bcove.me/l3s6e8h0 )

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.

Choice, variety and quality

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 renown amongst them are Crab, Dover Sole, Cuttlefish, Squid, Anglerfish (commonly called Monkfish), Lemon Sole, Sprats, Pollack, Mackerel and Scallops. “Of these 40 different fish species, only 12 are subjects of 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 local taste challenge and try Devon’s Dover Sole, delicious Brixham Sprats, beautiful Lyme-Bay Scallops or maybe some Start Bay Brown 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 over 150 years of Fish and Chips today at Brixham. 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?  Buy some today to try at home tomorrow? Local Brixham fish is Caught with Pride! Have a great day! Best fishes.