Samways backs seafood campaign (From Dorset Echo)

Samways backs seafood campaign

3:00pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News

BRIDPORT’S Samways seafood wholesaler is putting its weight behind a campaign to protect the health of Dorset’s seas.

Samways, Dorset’s largest fish merchant, has signed up to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Great Dorset Seafood (GDS) campaign.

Samways has pledged to label all seafood supplied by fishermen working a Dorset port, demonstrating provenance and traceability to customers.

Mark Machin, a trained chef from Samways sales and marketing team, said: “Samways supplies hundreds of customers, ranging from village pubs serving Lyme Bay crab sandwiches, to Michelin starred restaurants cooking hand-dived scallops.

“The Great Dorset Seafood campaign fits in really well with Samways’ other work, contributing towards a sustainable fishery here in Dorset.”

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Great Dorset Seafood campaign, started in 2011, aims to restore the health and productivity of the sea by giving customers choices and information about sourcing.

Peter Tinsley, living seas manager at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “This partnership shows we are standing up for local inshore fishermen and for local marine wildlife by putting our seal of approval to seafood that is fresh and locally caught, using more selective capture methods.

“These fishing practices are sensitive to the environment and provide high quality seafood, so it’s good for you and it’s good for Dorset and its wildlife.”

Details on the Great Dorset Seafood campaign and Samways can be found online at greatdorsetseafood.org.uk or samwaysfish.com