Dorset’s largest seafood wholesaler is launching an innovative labelling scheme to support Dorset Wildlife Trust’s campaign for Great Dorset Seafood (GDS). Samways Fish Merchants Limited, based in Bridport, have pledged to label all seafood supplied by fishers working a Dorset Port and approved by the campaign, demonstrating provenance and traceability to their customers.
Mark Machin, a trained chef from Samways Sales and Marketing team, said: “Samways supply hundreds of customers, ranging from village pubs serving Lyme Bay crab sandwiches to Michelin stared restaurants cooking hand dived scallops. The Great Dorset Seafood campaign fits in really well with Samways’ other work, contributing toward a sustainable fishery here in Dorset demonstrating some amazing produce on our doorstep from Lyme Bay”.
Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Great Dorset Seafood campaign, established in 2011, seeks to restore the health and productivity of our sea through choices, sourcing and information. Peter Tinsley, Living Seas Manager at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said:“This partnership shows we are standing up for local inshore fishermen and for local marine wildlife by putting our seal of approval to seafood that is fresh andlocally caught, using more selective capture methods. These fishing practices are sensitive to the environment and provide high quality seafood, so it’s good for you and it’s good for Dorset and its wildlife.”
Today also sees the annual revision of the Great Dorset Seafood Fish Guide and comprehensive online consumer and retailer guide on a variety of seafood species and fishing methods in Dorset. Seafood that gets the green light includes mackerel andblack seabream caught using rod and line; crabs and lobster caught using pots; diver-picked scallops; and herring and sole caught using static nets.
Further details on the Great Dorset Seafood campaign and Samways Fish Merchants can be found online at greatdorsetseafood.org.uk or Samwaysfish.com.
