POLAND
First-sales centre
Advantages for fishers, buyers, and authorities Located in Władysławowo harbour is one of the four newly created first-sales centres in the region (there are currently nine centres in Poland). This one is managed by Poland’s largest fishermen’s association, the Association of Sea Fishermen. It is led by Jarosław Kirszling and represents 250 captains and ca. 30% of the Polish fleet.
T
he fishing vessel that has just arrived in the harbour is carrying cod, which fishermen are obliged to register at the first-sales centre, according to regulations from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. In the process of weighing, they are sometimes accompanied by an inspector from the sea-fishery inspectorate, sometimes not. Usually 20–30 of the catch is randomly selected and weighed while the rest is loaded directly on the transport truck, in case a buyer already is sourced. This figure, however, can be changed by a buyer or an inspector. After weighing, a “first-sales document” is produced, which is required by the control regulations. Fishermen have no obligation to use the first-sales centre to aid in the sales process. But if some or all of the catch has not been sold already, the centre can facilitate a sale and also provide the necessary storage facilities until the products can be distributed. The advantages are that buyers are certain that they receive the right amount and quality, and do not have to perform their own controls. Also, some buyers are interested in larger quantities than a single fisherman can provide, and so the first-sale www.eurofishmagazine.com
06_Poland_PO.indd 18
centres collect fish from several vessels until they can provide the right amount. At the same time, authorities know that all catches are correctly accounted for. Cod and salmon species must be registered at the first-sales centres, but fishermen use it for other species too because of the services that the first-sales centres provide, which also includes providing ice and facilities to clean equipment. Hygiene is obviously very important to maintain the freshness of the fish as long as possible. “Initially, local fishermen were not positive towards the idea of the centres, but now after they started using the facilities and can see the advantages, their perceptions are gradually changing”, explains Leszek Piłka, Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Jarosław Kirszling, a fishing vessel owner and head of the largest fishermen’s association in Poland, the Association of Sea Fishermen.
For more information, please contact: Leszek Piłka Head of Market and Fish processing unit Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 30 Wspólna St. 00-930 Warsaw Poland Tel.: +48 22 623 24 40 Fax: + 48 22 623 22 04 leszek.pilka@minrol.gov.pl
Leszek Piłka, Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is happy with the success of the first sale centers. Eurofish Magazine 6 / 2013
37
05/12/13 1:03 PM