BILLINGSGATEGOSSIP THE LONDON FISH & POULTRY RETAILERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2012 BBC shows rotten side of Billingsgate market by Rex Goldsmith Many readers will have seen the BBC television documentary' The Fish Market: Inside Billingsgate' originally broadcast in May this year. I know a lot of members and fellow market users were as shocked and disappointed as I was. Not one mention was made of the stunning quality of fish that comes through our market. Just a dismal picture painted of disgusting quality, shocking service and general unrest. Why they had to show two tonnes of rotting, condemned fish two weeks past it's sell by date I'll never know. I was told by high authories that surely this was a positive step to show it had been condemned. So why did it have to take that long? Do the market inspectors only have a little mooch about every fortnight? The morning after it was shown I bought some of the finest wild bass and salmon I've ever seen. Why was this sort of quality overlooked? I think we should get the BBC back and show them the positive side. They are supposed to give a balanced view. We all know that some of the best fish in the world comes through our market so maybe a dismal advert like that might deter some of the public from clogging up the aisles. So it's not all bad eh? Our famous London market shown in a poor light by the documentary Have you seen the NFF on the www? Have you visited the site recently? We are always looking for suggestions on how to improve it so let us know your ideas. Would you like your business listed on the site? Would you like to use the site to advertise? Would you be willing pay a small fee for these services? A few of your colleagues already use the link on Twitter to show their special offers, latest news etc so you could too. Nobody does anything for me. The ball s in your court. Can we help? Visit us at: www.fishmongersfederation.co.uk
2 The Billingsgate Gossip - August 2012 BILLINGSGATE SEAFOOD SCHOOL Autumn dates for Seafood Industry Training at Billingsgate School Get into Fishmongering: Tuesday 11th September 2012 Thinking of setting up in business and not sure where to start? This seminar is perfect for those who want an inspirational insight into the retail trade, learn how the Market operates, share ideas and gain new skills and contacts to help make your business idea become a reality. City & Guilds Certificate in Seafood Retailing Day 1: Wednesday 3rd October (9.30am - 5.30pm) Day 2: Thursday 4th October (6.15am - 3.00pm) Due to strong demand and funding made available from Fishmongers' Company and City & Guilds this two day class is a must for those in the trade wanting recognition for the skills they already have and also those new to the trade wanting to develop their skills further. The course covers a comprehensive range of fishmongering skills, using both assessments over the two days and a workbook completed by attendees to build a portfolio which contributes towards the City & Guilds award. The event is funded and does require an application to be submitted, for further information about this please contact me on 07808 475 445. Introduction to Fishmongering: Thursday 1st November Aimed at those new to the trade, this one day class was developed by Billingsgate School and the Sea Fish Industry Authority. Using a combination of practical and classroom sessions, 'Introduction to Fishmongering' is a structured class accompanied by a training manual which includes essential information to those new to the trade. Knife Skills: Wednesday 12th September Friday 2nd November Knife skills days at the School are open to all, often seeing chefs, fishmongers and recreational anglers working together. Using a wide selection of the best of Billingsgate fish, the day concentrates on safe and efficient knife skills preparing flat and round fish. Quality Assessment for Technical Managers and EHPs: Quality Assessment of fish Wednesday 24th October Quality Assessment of Shellfish Tuesday 27th November While most classes at Billingsgate involve some degree of quality assessment of product, these classes take the subject to the next level. This one day class is aimed at QA/ technical managers and those working for local councils with responsibility for food safety. Drawing insight from technical experts from within the field our quality assessment classes are packed full of invaluable information and also offer certified professional development certificates. Celebration of Sustainable Seafood Wednesday 21st November Our biggest Industry focused event of the year always creates a buzz and this year promises to do just the same. The simple idea behind this event, that is now in the fourth year is to celebrate great case studies of sustainable seafood. The School works with young people the Industry and members of the public, the species championed by Industry stakeholders at this event become integrated within the wider School's classes over the forthcoming year. So far we have fisheries from the south coast (herring) the Barents Sea (cod/ haddock), Alaska, and land based aquaculture (tilapia) taking part. We still do have 2-3 places available if you would like to champion your product so please get in touch. The format of the day involves a series of short presentations together with brunch and lunch tasting/ networking sessions which give the audience of 100+ Industry and press attendees the chance to vote for the favourite. The day's favourite as voted by attendees is awarded the Billingsgate School Sustainable Seafood Award for 2012. For further information on any of these events please contact the admin team in Office 30 at Billingsgate Market on 020 7517 3548. or visit www.seafoodtraining.org
The Billingsgate Gossip - August 2012 3 NORTH O' THE BORDER By Ken Watmough One of the biggest pelagic Black Fish scams was recently uncovered in Scotland. It had been going on for almost 10 years. After a full blown forensic investigation and a High Court case in Edinburgh last week, ten skippers were given fines and confiscation orders totaling 1.2m, with still more penalties to come. The skippers admitted to (on being discovered) illegal landings at Peterhead processing plants of Fresh Catch and Alexander Buchan Ltd. The two processors were heavily involved. The fish from the boats are sucked by large vacuum pipes, but the processors were able to divert the catches from the weighing system. It s reckoned that the total scam was about 23m. Maria Damanaki Europe s fishing chief insisted recently that huge efforts are being made to combat illegal catching across the continent. She said Illegal fishing leads to unfair competition for the law abiding fisherman in the market place, and it severely undermines efforts to manage fisheries sustainably She also announced that agreements have been signed with both the US and Japan to step up the enforcement on a global scale. Since this incident new requirements have been introduced for record keeping and paper trail audits on fish sales, also calibrated and sealed weighing systems are now in place with regular inspections. Pelagic vessels have had their carrying space independently surveyed by 3D laser scanning, and a new protocol has been agreed with the industry and Marine Scotland, and there will be more in depth checks of factory equipment. Lyme Bay is the UK s largest inshore marine protected area (MPA), and recently a partnership between fisherman, scientists and conservationists has been set up, and aims to conserve seafood stocks and secure the future of the local fishing industry. The fisherman have agreed to limit the amount of fishing with permitted gear in a key UK marine reserve, as part of their efforts to manage the area for nature and local communities. The organizers hope the alliance will be a blueprint for managing areas of the sea for the benefit of communities and for nature, ahead of setting a network of MPA s around UK waters. This partnership will also fund a scientific study by Plymouth University to see how much fishing the bay s reefs can sustain. The partnership is fortunate to be part funded by retailer Marks and Spencer. The fishermen have agreed a voluntary code signed by fishermen from four ports in the bay, and restricts the amount of gear used by any one fisherman to 250 crab and lobster pots, 500 whelk pots and individual nets limited to a maximum of 600 metres. It s good to know that efforts are being made by the fishermen and others to check the sustainability of their local fishing grounds. The National Federation of Fishmongers celebrated their 80th anniversary in great style at a lovely lunch in Fishmongers Hall last month. The event was very well supported and all credit must go to the secretary, council members and others for all their hard work in making it so memorable. With lively speeches from NFF President Garry Hooper, Martyn Boyers of Grimsby and Alan Tandy our Crafts Competition MC from Wales, made my long journey from Aberdeen worthwhile. Well done. Regional food becomes regional fish in Dolgellau, North Wales Adam working with Fishmonger Jill Reacord and the Euro Spar counter team in North Wales It was a great pleasure to be asked to support training new fishmongers in North Wales earlier this month. In a model many multiple retailers adopt on the continent EUROSPAR (a larger format store widely seen in Ireland) are working with local Welsh fishmonger Jill Reacord who will be running the new counter as concession in the Dolgellau EUROSPAR store. Shoppers have worked up an appetite for quality Welsh food and drink products at three EUROSPAR stores in North West Wales, which have recorded sales of 1.5 million in the past year. The EUROSPAR stores in Dolgellau and Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Spar store in Pwllheli, which are all owned by award-winning entrepreneur Conrad Davies, are now supplied by 70 Welsh producers. Most of the producers are within a 50 miles radius of the stores. The next stage in the strategy is develop the regional range to include the fantastic Cardigan Bay fish from Jill Reacord's, 'Jill's Plaice' business.
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The Billingsgate Gossip - August 2012 5 Chairman s Notes Sporting chance The Olympic lanes are now in force so I hope we can all muddle through the day to day logistics. The market will be opening earlier so we can all get away early and miss the traffic. Good luck with that. I hope you enjoy the games, trade well and take a well earned holiday. Regards, Still awaiting a reply Mr. Don Tyler. We will be calling a Association meeting/ AGM shortly. Can we expect a reply then? Forthcoming Seafood School events outside the Market We are continuing our work with the Hastings 'Classroom on the Coast' and will be working at: Hastings Classroom on the Coast Boat to Plate Experience 1st & 3rd August (morning sesions 09:30-12:00, afternoon sessions 13:00-15:30) Seafood and Wine Festival in Hastings 15-16th September http://tinyurl.com/d27dpmv Bexhill Sea Anging Festival 22-23rd September http://www.bexhillseaanglingfestival.com/ The Fishmongers & Poulterers Institution In these difficult and uncertain times it s easy to shut ones eyes to other peoples worries and troubles. Prices are high, fish is in short supply and trade is poor. We all suffer days when nothing is going our way, but our glass is half full and we manage to get back to the glass, is as it should be. But give a thought to those people whose glass is half empty with little chance of replenishing it. As a charity The Fishmongers and Poulterers Institution are unable to make everything right, Have you ever given a thought to the Billingsgate Seafood School? There are several people now running their own businesses who use the market, and many more countrywide. They still see a future for independent mongers and have benefited by making use of the many and varied courses available. Could your staff benefit by a visit or a course? Can you think of any way the School could help you? A cookery course, a course for your best customers (Yes, you pay!) or perhaps a get together of fellow mongers. You could even consider sponsoring a local school at very little or no cost.the school is a charity so is but we are there to at least assist in small ways to make life a little more comfortable. Every case will be taken on its merits and a decision made by the Trustees. If you know of any case where you think the Institution could help please contact us. The Institution celebrated its 180th Anniversary this year. Will you help keep it going for another 100 years? For more information visit: www.butchershall.com and click on Education & Charities. See you with the collection box soon! Time for you to get back to School? Tell us how it is always looking for ways to find income. The School is a valuable resource and is there for the benefit of us all. Read Adam s school news on the City & Guilds Certificate and see what a great opportunity it could be for you or a staff member and it costs nothing! Likewise, the Get into Fishmongering course on September 11th 2012. Is this a trade for you? Hear it from a dusty old fishmonger (not from a dusty old book). Use a knife for a few hours on simple skills, get ideas for what you need, then read the books and make up your mind as to what course you wish to take. You have nothing to lose.- Do you have any comments on the New Era of Billingsgate Market. Don t sit there and moan, let us know your views (preferably positives). Don t be shy let s have a few success stories. Contact details can be found on the back page
Obituary Ernest Preedy (Thompson) 1923 2012 The LFPRA are sad to report the passing of Ernie Preedy, a much loved Billinsgate character. Ernie was widely known and respected throughout the trade, although most people will have known Ernie by his long association with shellfish. People would travel far and wide to visit his stalls, one known couple would travel some distance into Romford market stall twice a week to partake in whelks, cockles, jellied eels and then walk away with some more for home! Ernie was a full of life, young in his ways, and would confound many of his younger friends when through his seventies and eighties he would reluctantly admit to his age. A keen follower of boxing, Ernie had many friends among the new boys and the champions and we understand he never missed visits to the local boxing clubs. The London Retail Fish & Poultry Association extends their condolences to his family and many friends Blimey Bill, you've got a big one! We recently heard about a fine specimen of Carp caught by the 'gentle' giant Billy Lyons. We followed up the rumours and were sent this fantastic picture. We can't believe he kept that quiet in the fine art of angling. Well done Bill. Could you hold fish about a foot higher next time? igossip. Do you? WMany thanks to those people that responded to our request for e-mail addresses to subscribe to the Gossip by e-mail. There are still a good number who have not yet replied. The offer still stands and it takes seconds. Please send subscribe to: charliecaisey@gmx.com - Simples! While on the subject of subscribing, we were made to feel quite humble when an old member, who over the years gave tremendous help in putting together the Craft competition held at various locations, told us he did not have a computer. He sent through his postage for the next four issues! A true gentleman of the trade. Of course, we understand that some subscribers do not have access to a computer and we will continue to send the Gossip to these readers by post. To help support us, why not place an advertisement. It would be very much appreciated and our rates are very reasonable. Your LFPRA Council 2012 Chairman Vice Chairman Treasurer Secretary Mr. G. Sage Mr. E. Saunders Mr. S. Davies Contact us Send your gossip, stories and photos to: The Gossip, 67 Albany Road, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 4AE. Or e-mail your news to: newsletter@seafoodtraining.org Mr. Rex. Goldsmith Mr. John Purkiss Mr K. Condon Mr. C. Caisey MBE. Billingsgate Gossip is published by The London Fish and Poultry Retail Association.