16.06.03
Looe electronic auction launch

Looe Harbour Commissioners and Looe Fish Selling Ltd are set to launch their new mobile electronic auction system on Wednesday 18 June.

Over £90,000 of Objective One Fisheries investment will enable the installation of the auction system offering full fish traceability. This puts Looe at the forefront of European fish markets and will be the first of a new generation of Moby Clock systems to be installed in Cornwall and the UK.

The process begins when the fish is landed. The skipper enters the catch details onto a touch screen terminal attached to electronic scales on the market. The information includes landing date, boat name, species with its size, weight, presentation and quality etc. This data is then automatically printed giving each box of fish its own description with an EU standard bar code and lot number. The lot number system allows the merchant and the market to trace each box of fish back to its source at any time.

This high tech collection of information links directly to the electronic auction on the market. The new system operates what is known as a mobile auction clock and replaces the traditional shout auction. The initial price is set by the auctioneer and then it falls on the clock screen. A buyer then presses his transmitter and this stops the clock from falling. Other buyers can then join the bidding and the price will rise until only one buyer is still pressing their transmitter.

This new technology will benefit the Looe Fish Market as well as the skippers. It is anticipated that the auction will be faster and it is also hoped to attract new buyers to the market. The system also has the facility to go “on line” in the future.

The Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) supports the project and has provided technical assistance.

Clare Leverton, Objective One Fisheries Programme Manager commented: “The Objective One investment programme targets important projects such as this improvement at Looe, which will bring benefits, not just to the local fleet but also to fish processors and the fishing industry across Cornwall.”

Tina Hicks of the Looe Harbour Commissioners stated: “With this new electronic auction system, Looe will be assured of its future as a port offering the highest quality fish supported by the latest technology and will be able to present this fish to all the European markets in a highly professional way.”

Heugh Symons a Partner of Looe Fish Selling Company and auctioneer added: “We are confident that with this new technology we will be able to offer the same level of service and traceability to both boats and buyers, as is found in larger ports and should ensure the future of Looe as a major fishing port in the South West.”

For further information contact:

Clare Leverton
Objective One Fisheries Programme Manager
Trevint House
Strangways Villas
Truro TR1 2PA
Tel: 01872 270333
Fax: 01872 242470

Editor's notes:

Jason Clark
Communications Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
jason@dclark.co.uk

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