FOOD + DRINK
DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE CAPTAIN ?
KENT ’ S SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD STORY
BY LUCY MOHR
LOCAL FISHERMAN AND FISHMONGERS ACROSS KENT ARE RECLAIMING THEIR CRAFT BACK FROM SUPERMARKETS , AS THE PROVENANCE AND LOCALITY OF THE FISH WE EAT HAS BECOME THE KEY FACTOR IN THE DECISION OF WHICH PRODUCE TO SOURCE , PREPARE AND ORDER FOR RESTAURANTS AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE .
FRESH FISH STRAIGHT OFF THE BOATS BEING DELIVERED TO ROCKSALT IN FOLKESTONE
Local fishmongers in Kent , who carefully fish within strict government guidelines , have experienced a higher demand for their local and sustainably caught fish over recent months . There has been a real shift in consumer demand to know exactly where the fish they ’ re eating has come from , something that supermarkets struggle to provide when they are buying from wholesalers and not from the market or directly from local fisherman and fishmongers .
“ Restaurants now ask for the details of the boats and the name of its captain so they can put it on their menu . It ’ s a lot more about provenance these days ,” reported a local fishmonger .
Fishmongers have experienced a boom this past year , particularly during coronavirus where unlike the supermarkets – many of whom had to close their fish counters due to supply issues – they were able to quickly adapt during lockdown ; unabound by wholesaler supply issues . Local fishmongers were therefore able to quickly increase their fish supplies among other produce .
59