NORWEGIAN ‘FROZEN-AT-SEA’ TRAWLERMEN PLAN 2008 WITH FASFA

10 September 2007

Further strengthening its position and international industry influence, FASFA has recently met with Norwegian Frozen at Sea (FAS) trawlermen to plan 2008 promotional activity. Set up in 2000, FASFA is an organization dedicated to promoting the consumption of frozen at sea fillets of cod and haddock in the UK. The Norwegians have 12 FAS vessels and export 5,000 tonnes of cod, 2,00 tonnes of haddock and 2,000 tonnes of saithe.

As FASFA members, they benefit from the collective promotion for frozen at sea fillets by all members of the chain – right through from catchers to importers and distributors.

They have access to all UK distribution channels and information on industry news, particularly in the fish and chip shop sector.
And because FASFA is an international body covering all sectors of the industry, member companies have a greater influence than they would as an individual organization.

As one of the largest FAS fishing fleets in the world, the Norwegians form a strong part of FASFA and its ongoing positive promotion of the consumption of healthy whitefish caught in the Barents Sea and North Atlantic ocean.

And they are keen to help FASFA to educate consumers on the origins of their fish – especially in over 80% of UK fish and chip shops where frozen at sea cod is sold - to create positive brand awareness of the top quality, outstandingly fresh frozen at sea fillet.

The Norwegians are keen to promote cod and haddock all in the relevant UK outlets throughout 2008. They process interleaved and IQF cod fillets, providing superb cod that goes straight to restaurants and other catering outlets.

FASFA will now work in partnership with trawler owners Rammi – along with those from the UK, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Spain, Russia and Greenland and many UK distributors of ‘frozen at sea’ filleted fish.

Like FASFA, the Norwegians place huge emphasis on natural resources and the responsible management of their fisheries. Sustainability of fishing stocks is paramount to the governments of Norway and Iceland, where 85% of the cod and haddock we now eat in the UK, originates. 
FASFA’s Tim Cartwright-Taylor comments on this initiative : “We are delighted to discuss a special programme for Norwegian FAS for 2008 and believe that this will strengthen both our market position, as well as theirs. The cod and haddock customers in the UK need to know more about where their fish comes from and the sustainable and healthy nature of the Norwegian product. In the new world of traceability, accountability and sustainability the Norwegians have an excellent rack record and their customers can benefit from this. ”