26.05.06
Rick Stein supports new Cornish Line-Caught Pollack Tags
On Tuesday 30th May, Rick Stein helped Cornish fishermen
launch the new line-caught Pollack tags which are the latest
addition to the successful line-caught tagging scheme.
Following the success of the South West Handline Fishermen's
Association (SWHFA) line-caught bass tagging scheme and website
(www.linecaught.org.uk)
launched last November, the Handliners' Association
has received numerous enquiries, particularly from french
buyers, for tagged line-caught Pollack and as a result decided
to introduce the new golden tags. As with the Bass scheme
each Pollack tag is individually numbered and the corresponding
vessel and skipper can be easily traced back using the website.
"The feedback we have received from the website
has been fantastic – people really do appreciate the
quality of the product and also the responsible way in which
it is caught," said Andrew Pascoe, line fisherman
and vice-chair of the South West Handline Fishermen's
Association.
As well as having the South West handline mackerel fishery
independently certified against the Marine Stewardship Council's
(MSC) sustainability standard, the SWHFA are also putting
both the line caught Pollack and Bass fisheries forward for
MSC pre-assessment.
"The decision by the Pollack and Sea Bass handliners
to undergo an independent assessment to demonstrate sustainability
through the MSC programme is great news. The MSC eco-label
is already carried on South West handline mackerel and has
brought benefits to local fishers. We wish the Pollack and
Sea Bass fishers equal success in their assessments and the
new tagging system can only help shoppers learn more about
where fish comes from and how it is caught," said
Chris Ninnes, Operations Director of the Marine Stewardship
Council.
The launch is being hosted in Padstow, Cornwall by Rick
Stein who has for many years championed sustainable fisheries.
"It is the responsibility of restaurateurs to help
consumers choose to eat fish from sustainable stocks, and
to send encouragement to the fishermen who are making every
effort to fish without detriment to the marine environment
and for that reason I am delighted to be able to help the
handline fishermen launch their new Pollack tags, which I'm
sure will be successful," explained Rick Stein.
The website has been organised by Seafood Cornwall, which
has worked closely with the fishermen to ensure they also
maximise the quality of the fish they land. The project has
also had investment from by Seafish and Business Link Devon
and Cornwall.
For further information please contact Nathan de Rozarieux
on 01736 874304 or visit www.seafoodcornwall.org.uk.
The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly has invested in Seafood Cornwall through the
Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG).
Editor's notes:
| 1. |
The launch will be take place at 2pm on Tuesday 30th
May on the quayside in Padstow, where Rick Stein will
be presented with a tagged line caught Pollack from local
fishermen. |
| 2. |
The South West Handline Fishermen's Association
is an organisation representing over 70 handline fishermen
in Cornwall and Devon. The Association successfully led
the Marine Stewardship Council accreditation of the SW
Handline mackerel fishery in 2001. Further details of
the SW handline Bass and Pollack fisheries can be found
on the SWHFA website www.linecaught.org.uk. |
| 3. |
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) works to find a
solution to the global problem of overfishing. The charity
has developed an environmental standard for well-managed
and sustainable fisheries. Fisheries that meet this standard
are allowed to display the MSC's blue eco-label
on their products. In the UK, there are 63 products bearing
the MSC ecolabel. They can be found at supermarkets such
as Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Tesco, Marks & Spencer
or ASDA. More information is available at www.msc.org.
|
| 4. |
Seafood Cornwall, an Objective One Fisheries Programme
grant funded project, offers advice to industry on fish
quality issues and is working to improve marketing and
promotion of fish and seafood. 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. |
| 5. |
The Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) 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. |
| 6. |
The tags are produced by Infotag. Infotag (Scotland)
Ltd a Scottish software company along with their manufacturing
partners Douglas Plastics Ltd are providers of whole and
filleted fish traceability systems. |
| 7. |
The www.linecaught.org.uk
website was designed by Gabriella Nonino of Newlyn-based
Sandswimmer.net. |
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
 back
to top
|
