24.09.08
Newlyn brothers cast a bigger net
The family owners of the Newlyn-based trawler ‘Crystal Sea SS118’ normally use two nets, but this week they will be casting into a much bigger net – the internet – with the launch of their own website www.crystalseatrawling.co.uk. The Stevens family, consisting of retired skipper and now shore captain David with his two sons, David and Alec Stevens - who share command of the family trawler, have set up the site both to inform trade buyers with as much information as possible before the vessel lands, and also to give the public a taste of life at sea.
“We have seen the success of other websites such as those for Cornish Tuna (www.cornishtuna.com), the handline fishermen (www.linecaught.org.uk) and shellfish (www.shellfishcornwall.org.uk) so thought we would add our own to provide better information and hopefully too, a better price,” said Skipper and co-owner, David Stevens.
The brothers say the website will enable buyers anywhere in the UK or even Europe to follow the fishing of the boat and then bid on their fish over the Internet when it is sold on Plymouth market, where their fish is auctioned.
Dave Pessell, Managing Director of Plymouth Trawler Agents welcomed the move: “It is essential in the modern day fishing industry to notify all potential customers in advance, of the supply to auction. Long gone are the days when fishermen just dumped substantial landings on the market and vainly hoped to maximise the value of their catches. We applaud this initiative by the Stevens family which can only help to promote the good quality of fish caught from the Crystal Sea,” he said.
Brother Alec Stevens hopes that programmes like the BBC Trawlermen series has opened the public’s eyes to life at sea and explains how the website will work.
“For the trade buyers we will be updating catches daily so that they will know the range and weights of species we have on board. We hope the site will also be a favourite for the public too as we will be filling in a daily blog and also be regularly updating the photo gallery,” said co-skipper and owner, Alec Stevens.
Nathan de Rozarieux, Project Director of Seafood Cornwall also welcomed the move: “This innovative initiative by the Stevens family demonstrates that fishermen are quite rightly very proud of the quality of the fish they land and through better marketing and communication, with the trade buyers and public alike, are working hard to get the best possible price,” he said.
For further information contact Nathan de Rozarieux, Project Director, Seafood Cornwall, on telephone: 01736 874304 or nathan@seafoodcornwall.org.uk.
The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Seafood Cornwall project through the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG).
Editor's notes:
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Seafood Cornwall, an Objective One Fisheries Programme project, offers advice to industry on fish quality issues and is working to improve marketing and promotion of fish and seafood. |
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Seafood Cornwall is based at the Cornwall Fisheries Resource Centre, 78b The Strand, Newlyn, contact Nathan de Rozarieux, 01736 874304. For more information about the project visit www.seafoodcornwall.org.uk |
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Seafood Cornwall is supported by the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) which was established by the Government in 1981 and is a Non Departmental Public Body sponsored by the four UK government fisheries departments. Seafish works with all sectors of the UK seafood industry – fishermen, processors, wholesalers, importers, exporters, seafood farmers, fish friers, caterers and retailers – to raise standards, improve efficiency and secure a sustainable future. |
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Seafood Cornwall works with retailers and restaurants to promote the quality, abundance and diversity of Seafood landed in Cornwall. |
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Seafood Cornwall has launched a quality award schemes for fishing vessels and fish processors to recognise high standards of fish quality being landed. |
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
The Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439
cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
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