NORWEGIAN TRAWLER OWNERS VISIT HULL TO SEE UK MARKET FOR THEMSELVES

Following the FASFA visit to Norway in September 07 to discuss how Norwegian interests could be strengthened in the UK, the Norwegians in May 08, have visited Hull to see the UK market for themselves.  While Hull City football team were being welcomed back to the city after their win at Wembley, FASFA were welcoming the Norwegians at a reception on the other side of the square. 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, 2,000 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 where 80% of fish sold is FAS.  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.

Like FASFA, the Norwegians place huge emphasis on natural resources and the responsible management of their fisheries.  Sustainability of fishing stocks is the target of [paramount to] the governments of both 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 : “The Norwegians brought news that we have secured additional funds from the Norwegian Export Council to promote FAS fillet sales. We are keen to press ahead with a special Norwegian marketing initiative for FAS in the UK.  With the cost of food rising and the confusion in the consumers’ mind about what is sustainable we have a good story to tell.  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, which has been caught using methods designed to ensure a sustainable stock.  In the new world of traceability, accountability and stock management the Norwegians have an excellent track record and their customers should know that they can benefit from this. ”