Seafish secures a seal of approval from industry and a strong steer on future priorities

Seafish, the public body supporting the UK seafood industry to thrive, has been told there is an overwhelming need to continue its work for the seafood industry. The endorsement comes from a recent consultation with the seafood industry and Government into the future of the organisation.  

Through workshops and an online survey in summer 2021, Seafish posed questions on its function, form and funding to determine its strategic direction. This included questions on the levy system which was last reviewed in 1999. 

Marcus Coleman, CEO at Seafish, said:  

“Our purpose at Seafish is to give the UK seafood sector the support it needs to thrive.  

“The Strategic Review has given us a fantastic opportunity to ask industry and Government how we can work in partnership to achieve that aspiration. 

“We are pleased to say the Strategic Review has given us a strong steer and mandate going forward and a renewed sense that industry need our support now more than ever.” 

The consultation led to three clear outcomes: 

1. There is an overwhelming need for Seafish to keep supporting the seafood industry to thrive.​ 
   
   
2. There was a clear steer on the highest priorities for industry right now. There was also acknowledgement that the organisation is currently spread too thin and needs to focus on where it can have the most impact.  
   
   
3. Industry acknowledged that, to move forward with purpose and ambition, Seafish needs to be funded to deliver the support industry needs. This includes a reform of the Seafish levy and further consultation will happen with industry and Government.   

Subject to ministerial approval from across the four administrations, Seafish are starting to implement a set of recommendations made by its Board. These will support the development of the organisation’s 2023-2028 Corporate Plan.  

The recommendations cover changes to the work Seafish will do and its structure to ensure it’s set up to deliver. Based on industry feedback, Seafish says it will now focus on six areas: 

1. Workforce issues 
2. Reputation of the industry 
3. Climate change 
4. International trade 
5. Innovation and insight, and 
6. Fisheries Management 

Coleman continued: “To give industry more support with its priorities, we have taken the decision to stop our consumer marketing through Love Seafood from 1 April this year. 

“We also want to take this opportunity like thank the seafood industry for taking the time to give us their views. We will share more details on the recommendations soon and we want to keep the conversation open as we start to shape the future of Seafish.” 

More information on the Strategic Review is available on the Seafish website https://www.seafish.org/about-us/governance-and-performance/strategic-review-of-seafish-in-2021/