Just to pick up on the Mussels bit. This doesn't quite add up. You can now buy mussels that formerly were sold to Spain. Good for you (honesrly). Now, why did the fishermen sells rhem to Spain before Brexit? I can only conclude that they got more money from Spanish buyers than your local ones. I don't blame them for that, they are not a charity.
So why do they now sell them locally. Is it too much paperwork etc to sell too Spain? Have the Spaniards' tastes suddenly changed? Can they sell them locally for as much as they used to sell them to Spaniards?
I can only conclude that the beneficiaries are the locals but the fishermen/women are selling then for less than before. Hence I can't see how everyone is benefiting. Surely the fishing industry is worse off here.
Basically, how it was in the West Country was that the catch would go to the auction and a couple of wholesalers would buy up most of the the fish, load onto trucks and drive straight to France or Spain to sell to wholesalers there.
Some was bought by local restaurants but overall, a small amount.
During covid, of course the wholesalers couldn’t operate so the fishermen needed new markets and were quite surprised to find that on their doorstep.
The Cornwall and Devon fish co converted part of the building to a large retail counter and were overwhelmed by the interest. People drove miles for the fresh produce.
The crew told me they get a better retail price than they got from the wholesalers so they are happy.
One boat, the Serene Sky even has it’s own trailer on the quay and posts the catch on social media on the way back and you can buy before they unload.
It seems a win win for everyone.
Of course I’m talking about small day boats, not these ginormous deep sea ships.
I know that on the south coast, Brixham etc, they are doing a mix of export and local retail.
There doesn’t appear to be any problems.
The guys kicking off on national tv after Brexit were not the fishermen but the wholesalers who’s monopoly was broken.
Every time there is anything to do with fishing, the tv roll out a guy called Perks for comments.
They never say that he’s not actually a fisherman but a wholesaler who benefited massively by the old system.
The auction houses have now gone online and he has lost his influence because someone Plymouth can by from Brixham and reverse.
Times have changed and the old school who can’t adapt are the ones moaning.
Our local fishermen are happy.
I forgot to add that all of the restaurants for about a twenty mile radius now buy directly from the company rather than the wholesalers.
Check out their Facebook page
Cornwall and Devon Fish Company.
Doubtful.
