Seafarers call for restaurants to come aboard with charity fish dish

Maritime charity Seafarers UK is calling for restaurants and cafes to show their support for British fishing communities by taking part in the organisation’s Fish & Chip Feast on 24 September.​

Dermot O’ Leary’s Fishy Fishy Seafood Brasserie has already signed up and Seafarers UK, which supports fishermen and others who have worked at sea, is asking other seafood restaurants and cafes to come on board.

Seafarers UK said that the event was ‘an opportunity for restaurants, cafes, pubs, fish and chip shops and staff canteens across the UK to serve fish and chips to customers and raise much needed funds for Seafarers UK’.

By participating, restaurants will be helping fishing communities which often face problems like poverty, disability and bereavement as a result of their efforts to bring seafood to the plate. According to Seafarers UK, deep sea fishing is one of the UK’s most dangerous occupations, with 45% of fishermen needed medical care to continue working at sea.

Fishy Fishy​

The Fishy Fishy Seafood Brasseries in Brighton and Poole are devising fish dishes especially for the occasion. Proceeds from the dish, which will be served on the Feast day, will be donated to Seafarers UK.

Speaking to BigHospitality yesterday, the manager of Brighton site said that the restaurant was considering a fish and chip dish for the event, but would “see what came into season nearer the time.”

He added: “We want to come up with something really special.”

The second Fishy Fishy restaurant in Poole opened this summer​, just a year after first site in Brighton.

O’Leary said: “At Fishy Fishy we try to support our local fishermen and women as much as possible, so we are really happy to be getting involved to help raise much needed funds for the fishing community.”

For more information about signing up, visit www.seafarers-uk.org​