19.04.07
Falfish's continued growth following fourteen successful applications

In the past 12 months, Redruth based Falmouth Fishselling Co Ltd (Falfish), has secured Objective One Fisheries investment for five projects, bringing their total number of Objective One projects to fourteen, and total European and national investment to £637,000.

The recent investment has been used for new office software, a new chill store and fish processing area, a blast freezer, hygienic cladding and the purchase of insulated bins.

The new office software will enable Falfish to employ new technologies for full traceability and operational efficiency; the new chill store is essential, as it maximises storage capacity and houses a new processing area which will allow for preparation of new products; the addition of a blast freezer allows for rapid freezing of the fish product to retain its high quality; the installation of hygienic cladding in the 'goods in' area brings it in line with the high standards of the rest of the factory; the insulated bins will be used to transport increased tonnages of fish such as cuttlefish, sardines and scallops at low temperatures, therefore improving quality and shelf-life.

This investment has enabled the company's continued expansion by constantly improving its capabilities to meet its customers' requirements.

Mark Greet, Managing Director of Falfish, said: "Falfish has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months. Support from the Objective One Fisheries grants has meant we can maximise our supply of fresh, quality fish to the UK and Europe.

"As a company we are very pleased to be continuing to drive the market in the South West, which, with its wealth of abundant species, is one of the UK's best managed and sustainably fished areas.

"This vital funding has allowed us to substantially grow our workforce and we continue to expand our line of products."

Clare Leverton, Objective One Fisheries Manager, commented: "Increasing the value of fish to the Cornish economy was the core aim of the Fish Industry Task Force on entering the Objective One Fisheries Programme in 2000. The successful growth of Falfish demonstrates that the Task Force made the right decision to prioritise investment in fish processing. Falfish now adds more value to the high quality fish landed in Cornwall and the South West, it provides more jobs and continues to develop new products and new markets. Successful fish processing businesses are essential to keep up the demand for fish and to develop new products."

For further information contact Clare Leverton, Objective One Fisheries Programme Manager, on 01872 270333 or email admin@swpesca.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in Falmouth Fishselling Co Ltd through the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance Fund (FIFG).

Editor's notes:

Other projects undertaken by Falfish supported by Objective One investment include the purchase of a fish skinning machine, a new ice plant, a new factory, a freezer tunnel, replacement drains and floors, a cuttlefish hopper, and a sardine filleter.

The company now employs 100 staff including a highly experienced procurement and production management team, who have transformed Falfish from the small business established in 1979, to become the leading multi species seafood processor it is today, and rightly deserving the Queens Award for Enterprise it gained in 2006.

Focusing on sustainable development, full traceability, optimal operational and financial efficiency, by continually working closely with customers and taking a proactive stance to the changing marketplace, Falfish is a leading example of what can be achieved by maximising funding opportunities.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fish Industry Task Force consists of fishermen's representatives, fish merchants/processors, agents, port managers and fisheries regulators. It provided a strategic framework and action plan to guide the investment of the Objective One Fisheries Programme to develop Cornwall's fishing industry from 2000-2010. The Task Force guided investment by commissioning research and proactive supportive activities to ensure the strategy was achieved. The 2000-2010 strategy document can be found at www.swpesca.co.uk/fisheriestaskforce.htm.

Objective One Fisheries Programme grants are managed by the Marine and Fisheries Agency, a national agency of Defra (Dept for Environment and Rural Affairs), www.mfa.gov.uk.

Mark Greet, director of Falfish can be contacted on 01209 314111 or mail@falfish.com.

Clare Leverton, Objective One Fisheries Programme Manager, can be contacted on 01872 270333 or admin@swpesca.co.uk.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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