Fishermen in Jersey, a British Crown Dependency, say they have been humbled by the public reaction and support as the market for local produce has boomed amid the coronavirus crisis.
But despite a busy weekend of trade for pop-up stalls and deliveries across the Island, industry leaders have warned that it is not enough to sustain the whole 130-vessel fleet.
Facebook group the Jersey Alternative Fish Market has been set up to collate all the advertised produce and already has almost 6,000 members.
Crews hope they can continue to sell produce direct to the public despite the Island going into lockdown yesterday morning. Fishing has been deemed an essential industry meaning crews can still continue to catch. And government advice states that market stalls which offer essential retail, such as grocery and food’ can still remain open as long as they adhere to social distancing rules.
Today, Don Thompson, president of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, urged Islanders to keep buying local and said as demand increases so will the range of supply.
Under normal circumstances, about 80% of Jersey’s catch mainly shellfish is exported but, it is estimated that around three-quarters of the fish consumed in Jersey is imported.
That export market crashed earlier this month as heavy restrictions and lockdowns came into force across Italy, Spain and France the biggest buyers of Jersey shellfish.
Mr Thompson said although the wet fish market was small there was scope for more local supply particularly of species such as ray if there is demand.
Environment Minister John Young signed off proposals to allow the heavily-restricted commercial bass fishing season to start ten days earlier recently.
Mr Thompson said: ‘The virus has done for local fishing produce what no media marketing campaign could ever have done. I would call on Islanders to keep supporting our industry. We have some amazing produce.’
2020 Jersey Evening Post