Speaking in questions to the Rural Affairs Minister in the Senedd today, William Graham AM urged the Assembly Government to explore new strategies for marketing Welsh fish produce:
‘It is essential that the Assembly Government better directs its marketing to capitalise on recent media campaigns such as Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s Fish Fight urging consumers to purchase more sustainable species of fish. With the Food and Agriculture Organisation highlighting that 32% of global fish stocks are overexploited, depleted or recovering, it makes sense to encourage consumers to buy the likes of mackerel, gurnard and dab which are sustainable species of fish found in Welsh waters.’
The Conservative AM for South Wales East added:
‘There remain excellent opportunities to market Welsh seafood at events such as the Abergavenny Food Festival. Attracting 40,000 visitors last year, the Festival grows in stature with each staging and is a highlight of Monmouthshire’s social calendar. I was struck on my visit to the festival last September by how few of the seafood businesses exhibiting at the Festival were Welsh companies. There are compelling economic and environmental reasons to encourage consumers to buy locally sourced, sustainable fish rather than products imported form places such as Canada and Alaska. I look forward to the Assembly Government doing more to support local fish businesses in their marketing and expansion plans.’
