A CAMPAIGN is being spearheaded to champion our fishermen and fishmongers to keep them afloat during the coronavirus crisis.

With the closure of pubs, cafes and restaurants and supermarkets closing their fish counters, sales have been hit.

Following the closure of export markets in France and Belgium, the campaign, called Fish Local, asks residents to cook more locally-caught fish and seafood.

Now the public are being asked to buy it fish from south Essex independent fishmongers and fishermen selling direct to the public in a bid to help the industry survive during the outbreak.

John Lamb, Mayor of Southend and chairman of Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, the campaign’s champion, said: “This trade is so important to Leigh, Southend and the wider area.

“The closure of the fresh fish markets in France and Belgium, which take 80 per cent of the catch from our local ports, has seriously damaged the business of many of our fishermen.”

Underlining the huge drop in trade because of the Covid-19 lockdown, Mr Lamb added: “The closure of local pubs and restaurants reduced the sales of fresh fish, and many supermarkets have closed their fish counters, which has dramatically hit sales.

“Fresh fish is a perfect, healthy and easy alternative to cooking with meat, and our local fishermen can help put some of the country’s best seafood onto people’s plates.

“For those fishermen that are able to go out and fish, they now have no market to sell it on to.

“Selling it to our fish shops not only keeps fishermen and fishmongers in business but means our residents can carry on buying the fish they need.

“Without the Fish Local campaign, many of our inshore fleet and their crews will not be able to ride out the Covid-19 storm and this will damage the long-term economies of our ports.”

Paul Gilson, owner of W&G Gilson and well-known fisherman, has been involved in the initiative already and was full of praise for the campaign.

Mr Gilson, also a Leigh town councillor, said: “I think this campaign is a fantastic idea which is being rolled out all round the south east.

“Not only does it keep the industry ticking over, but it means we keep fresh fish available to the people who are right on our doorstep.

“We’ve been advised the best way to keep consumers safe while we continue to serve them, maintaining social distancing, using hot soapy water to wash our hands on a regular basis and having a limited amount of customers inside the shop at one time.

“I live in Leigh but sell fish in Southend, so I’m chuffed to have got involved in the initiative about three weeks ago.

“It provides us with reassurance that we will have a steady income rolling in.”

All the information about where the fish can be purchased, and how it can be cooked, is available at: www.fishlocal.org