Northern Irish fish producers to net business from health trends

Sea Source, Northern Ireland's leading fish and seafood producers' organisation, is catching the healthy food wave by moving into its own retail business.

The company, which represents around 40 fishing operations around Kilkeel, Northern Ireland's fish and seafood hub, and currently exports much of its catch to Europe and further afield, has set up a unique fishmongers in the county Down town. It is also considering an expansion to other centres such as Belfast.

The company also supplies foodservice operations in Northern Ireland.

"Shoppers are increasingly recognising that fish is both healthy and tasty," says Sea Source chief executive Alan McCulla. "This interest led us to decide to offer fresh fish and seafood landed by our members by setting up a small retail operation. It's a bit of a trial that's proving hugely successful with consumers seeking healthier meal options.

"We weren't sure initially if it would work but shoppers have responded enthusiastically to the opportunity to buy fresh fish and seafood straight from our trawlers. We're hoping to revive the great tradition of fishmonger shops once found in virtually every city and town in Northern Ireland," he adds.

While Sea Source has diversified into a range of functions, it remains, at its core, a producers' organisation, dedicated to promoting the fishing industry and ensuring that fishermen along the Down coast are prepared to embrace all the opportunities which exist now and in the future, in making a livelihood from the sea.

The membership, largely based in the fishing ports of Annalong, Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie along the Down coast, is supported by a professional and experienced team of employees who ensure the needs of members are met.

Sea Source is committed to promoting sustainable fishing methods and is involved in a variety of projects including the Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for Northern Ireland's pelagic catches of herring and mackerel species.

Members harvest superb quality seafood from the waters around the UK and Ireland. Catches range from mackerel, herring and other oily fish landed by the biggest trawlers in the Northern Ireland fleet; through lobster and crab from small inshore potting vessels; to langoustines or Dublin Bay Prawns, which are landed alongside a range of white fish such as haddock by trawlers from the harbours.