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Who vouches for the quality of the fish that goes through an auction? Quality is subjective within the Industry, everyone trades good quality and no one sells poor fish. On the auction it is the same, it is up to the buyer to decide if the quality of what they see, is suitable for their customer. Does the market manage the auctions or are they independent? We manage and control the fish market operation and auction since Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd started in 1996. In those days there were a number of fish selling agencies working independently while today there are four including our own selling agency, Grimsby Fish Market Ltd. What incentives can you offer fish traders to attract them to the Grimsby Fish Market? We think to preserve the status and integrity of the fish market and its auction we have to create a level playing field for buyers to make it easy for them to buy. To do this they need advance information about supplies and the quality. Are prices or services better than those offered in Billingsgate (in London), for instance? Grimsby is not comparable to Billingsgate, completely different! A large number of buyers and sellers is a prerequisite for a successful auction. Do you see any scope for increasing the number of traders? The Humber region is the strongest area in the UK for fish processing and Grimsby Fish Market has nearly all the processors from Grimsby and Hull attend as well as some from Bridlington and
Scarborough. What attracts them is a supply of fresh fish at auction and the opportunity to buy. We see an opportunity to increase the number of buyers through the increased deployment of technology which is widely used in the industry. The Grimsby Fish Market has been supplying data to the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EUMOFA). What benefits does the Grimsby Market get from this arrangement? Do you see ways to better align EUMOFA products with your expectations and interests? EUMOFA is a great source of information and it is important for us to look at trends and prices in other countries as we are in a much more globalised market place. We see our contribution as supporting for the sharing of information which ultimately helps decision makers shape the industry. Sustainability is becoming ever more important along the entire value chain from the resource to the final point of sale. What efforts is the Grimsby market making in this regard? Are there initiatives to use sustainable energy, reduce energy consumption, substitute plastics with recyclable materials, or implement other solutions that would contribute to greater sustainability? Sustainability has been on the agenda for some time and we see it as a prerequisite for any trading now. We have had MSC accreditation for some time at the Fish Market and also for our fish selling agency GFM Ltd. Customers expect a reasonable approach to sustainability. Through our port operations we
are heavily involved with offshore renewables so already utilise some local expertise on reducing energy consumption. I do think there needs to be a reduction in the use of polystyrene boxes for transporting bulk fresh fish particularly from Norway. I’m surprised that it hasn’t happened already as it is possible to put fish in skips which is what we have been doing with Iceland for years. Climate change and its potential impact on fish stocks could have a significant bearing on the Grimsby Fish Market with unusual fluctuations in catch sizes and compositions. Has this been an issue for the market to date and how can challenges like this be addressed, so that the market continues to be a focal point for the UK fisheries sector in the future? Climate change is a real issue that needs attention on a global basis. Fish stocks in our North East Atlantic fishing areas have been impacted and we have seen migration north to colder waters. This isn’t the same as there is no fish, it has just moved. I think the scientists need to adapt their calculations when negotiating quotas to embrace the movement of species. This has been extremely notable with mackerel but less so for cod and haddock. There will be movement of species therefore fluctuations in quotas manifesting itself in friction between countries. However, there will still be fish caught which will need to be bought, sold and traded. What is your vision for the Grimsby Fish Market? Do you see it expanding into areas outside of those in which it is currently active? What are the
factors that could influence your plans for the market? We see plenty of opportunity for the future as we can adapt to the changing structure of the seafood industry and its requirements. We see Grimsby as a massive hub for fresh seafood and know that we can be a big part of the continuing story. Through our selling agency we can expand into other seafood commodities and through the Fish Market we can improve the services and facilities. What potential impacts will the UK’s exit from the EU have on the Grimsby Fish Market? How is the market and the companies that operate on it preparing for this increasingly likely eventuality? It was significant that Boris Johnson chose to visit Grimsby Fish Market three days before the election! The election result means we know we will leave the EU. It will impact the UK seafood industry and of course our European colleagues, but as we are predominately dealing with Iceland and Norway, both outside the EU, we expect little or no disruption to supplies. Many businesses in Grimsby export to the EU so it is a concern for them and their customers to have the new paperwork and processes agreed. For some time I was involved in EAFPA (European Association of Fishing Ports and Auctions) as Vice President and President which was constructive and informative and gave ports and auctions a voice in Europe. It was rewarding meeting people and has always been a privilege to be involved with European colleagues as it follows my mantra ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’! We will all survive this upheaval as the fish industry and its people are resilient.
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