Fish Local, responding to a global pandemic
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK one of the most immediate effects was the collapse of the fisheries markets. Virtually overnight Kent & Essex fishers didn't have anywhere to sell their fish.
The idea was to use web-based and social media systems to allow direct connections to be made between suppliers of seafood and local consumers.
Fish Local was the answer!
Background
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK one of the most immediate effects was the collapse of the fisheries markets. A high percentage of finfish and approximately 80% of the UK-caught shellfish is routinely exported to a variety of markets, mostly in Europe and the Far East. These export markets disappeared virtually overnight. Of the remainder of the UK catch that is consumed here much of it goes into the food service industry, which was closed, and it seems it will remain so for the foreseeable future. A relatively small amount of finfish and even less shellfish ends up in retail and is sold to the public, but even this market has suffered as major retailers closed their wet fish counters to concentrate on a smaller core range with a longer shelf-life.
This resulted in the market for finfish condensing massively with prices crashing, and the shellfish market disappeared completely. Fishing vessels tied up, processors and retailers reduced their output and businesses were left with no income. Even with the best-case scenario of the outbreak being contained and the country gradually returning to normal, it is unlikely the seafood industry will be able to return to previous operating levels in the near future. There are still many problems to overcome, such as market corrections, loss of good fishing weather, and problems with shutting aquaculture businesses for some weeks or months.
Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (KEIFCA) rapidly recognised the immediate threat to the seafood industry and within 17 days, using the Authority’s funds developed the Fish Local scheme which uses web-based and social media systems to allow connections to be made between suppliers of seafood and consumers. This has allowed suppliers to have access to markets which have not existed before and allowed some of the fish supply chain to remain functional.
'The closure of the fresh fish markets in France and Belgium, which take 80% of the catch from our local ports, has seriously damaged the business of many of our fishermen. Without the Fish Local campaign, many of our inshore fleet and their crews will not be able to ride out the Covid-19 storm and this will damage the long-term economies of our ports.'
Cllr John Lamb, Chairman, Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
'The closure of the fresh fish markets in France and Belgium, which take 80% of the catch from our local ports, has seriously damaged the business of many of our fishermen. Without the Fish Local campaign, many of our inshore fleet and their crews will not be able to ride out the Covid-19 storm and this will damage the long-term economies of our ports.'
Cllr John Lamb, Chairman, Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
Fish Local in the media
Fish Local was featured on both local and national television, as well a BBC radio.
Fish Local in Parliament
Fish Local gets a mention from Rosie Duffield MP as a part of the need for industry resilience
Give access to the local community
Understanding that there would be new consumers to the market, we used the Fishlocal.org site as an information hub, delivering barrier-dropping, simple and approachable advice on fish buying and cooking always looking for trustworthy, expert delivery. This was backed up by developing a social media community using tried and tested platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
The Fish Local Kent and Essex suppliers Facebook group grew with over 800 active users and positive interactions between the local seafood industry and the public. The social media platforms are a foundation to provide support to the inshore fishing industry with a locally focused, long-term marketplace while upskilling and supporting vulnerable businesses.
Outcome
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Fish Local was able to support the local fishing industry within the short time it had to act. It was a result of an amazing depth of stakeholders coming together to do their bit. As the restrictions eased and fishers were able to go back to their normal practice, we knew that we had created a voice that we could use.
Fish Local has become a vehicle to help the support the inshore fishing fleet in Kent & Essex as it goes though its most testing times. It is a mechanism for communities, businesses and the government to engage and contribute to local fishing. It has positioned itself to look at issues such as the ageing fleet, local interest in seafood, its heritage and helping to mitigate the impact on the fishing industry of marine based commercial ventures.