The Lyme Bay Fisherman’s CIC [LBF] has today launched the seafood trail that will stretch across the four ports of Axmouth, Beer, Lyme Regis, West Bay and beyond. LBF a not-for-profit was set up late last year to help support the 50 small-scale fishermen and inshore fleets from across the four ports.
Mandy Wolfe Chief Exec at LBF said:
“We are so excited to be launching the seafood trail today. We know there is huge support for our members from hospitality businesses around the bay and we want to support and promote those that buy our members catches.“
“We are scallop divers, trawlermen, potters, netters and anglers that catch over fifty different species throughout the year and it always fantastic to see local businesses using local catch.“
“Fishing is the most dangerous peacetime occupation; it is particularly so for smaller vessels like our members who fish from boats of under 12 metres in length. Selling catch locally rather than to wholesale markets means they earn a little more for their catch while reducing the carbon footprint created by food miles”.
The new scheme which is free to join will see those businesses being visited by LBF representatives and provided with buying information and a window sticker so customers can see that the business supports the local fleet. The LBF website which has a “Where to Eat” section will host information and links to businesses with contact details and opening times.
Mark Newton, Chair of the LBF said:
“The support our members get from local hospitality businesses choosing to buy local is vital to this small-scale fleet and we are truly grateful. “
“It is fantastic that with the help of Government funding from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) FaSS scheme we are now able to return that support and help promote those businesses that are buying from our fleet of members”.
Celebrity chef and well-known local seafood aficionado Mark Hix has thrown his support behind the group, he said:
“We are blessed in Lyme Bay to have some great fishermen who diversify in their seasonal fishing methods and land a great array of fish and shellfish which comes straight off the boat and up the hill to the Oyster and Fish House”.
Those interested in joining the seafood trail can visit the website to sign up https://lbfcic.com/
