|
THE first catch of Portland Race Sea Bass – renowned as the finest wild caught sea bass in the world - has been landed in the West Country for the fish food service company M&J Seafoods.
The trawler Skin Deeper, crewed by skipper Ian Taylor and his team, are sourcing wild rod and line caught sea bass for M&J Seafood customers from now until October, weather permitting.
In order to catch these much sought after fish, the Skin Deeper crew have to employ exacting and methodical fishing methods - often in dangerous waters. First they light trawl in Weymouth Bay for Sand Eels, then they steam out to an extremely turbulent patch of sea off the Portland Bill known as ‘The Race’, located where two tides meet. Here a bait rod and line is weighted with Sand Eels and once the boat is in position above three deep water ledges, the line is dropped to the bottom – where it is raised and lowered in order to attract fish.
Fish hauled up are brought aboard using a hand net, then placed immediately into fresh slurry ice. This reduces their temperature in order to maintain the highest possible quality. After three to four hours fishing, the trawler heads back to harbour in Weymouth where the catch is immediately despatched to M&J Seafood Wimborne. Here Fresh Fish Buyer, Phil Byrne will grade, box, ice and despatch the fish onward to M&J’s customers.
A couple of years ago M&J Seafood set up the British Skippers Scheme with specially selected skippers and boats around Britain, to bring its customers quality fresh fish, caught responsibly. Through the scheme the company receives reports direct from the fishermen who are catching our fish, letting it know what they’re going to land.
Should people be 'stimulated' to eat white fish alternatives to cod?
