The Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association (PFSA) is a Community Interest Company with an aim to regenerate Plymouth and other local fishing communities, whilst protecting the marine environment for all. It has over 90 members including small-scale fishers, both commercial and recreational and other parts of the fishing sector and general public.
Credit: Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association - FoodsEqual and Ed cooking the fishfinger
PFSA works to create opportunities for co-management with fishers and has delivered a range of projects to reduce the environmental impact of and increase the social benefit from local fisheries. Members were the first in the UK to trial the use of electronic fishing buoys to prevent the loss of gear at sea and reduce associated ‘ghost fishing’ and pollution.
Following participation in a study to assess and find ways to reduce their green-house gas emissions, PFSA is now promoting alternative fuels and supporting members to transition to hydrogen reducing harmful emissions. PFSA has also brought recreational and commercial fishers together through a bycatch monitoring project, where data collected by fishers is improving stock assessments.
A focus of their work is increasing connections between fisheries and communities within Plymouth. Fishers deliver lessons in local schools and facilitate community angling sessions in partnership with Plymouth Youth Service. Their Seafood Plymouth scheme, launched in 2024, aims to increase access to local fish to local communities. This has included a collaboration with the University of Plymouth and the FoodsEqual Project using waste fish to develop a fish finger, in partnership with schools and lower income communities in Plymouth.
More recently PFSA is working with other fisheries CIC’s across England to strengthen the voice of small-scale fishers and create a new network calling for better safeguards for fishing communities and improved fisheries management.
Connection to Esmée’s strategy
- Priorities:
- Long-term outcomes:
- Fisheries in the UK are well and equitably managed, using low impact methods
- Coastal communities benefit from and have an active role in managing marine resources
From Morven Robertson, Funding Manager, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation:
There’s a real need for more organisations like PFSA to represent and secure better outcomes for fisheries and the marine environment. Their work in Plymouth is not only strengthening ties with local communities but also highlighting the social value of fisheries by reconnecting people with local, sustainable food systems.
From Ed Baker, CEO, Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association:
Our organisation would not exist without Esmee Fairbairn and with their support we have created projects that fishermen are proud to be involved with. One fisherman commented that PFSA had finally brought some hope and positivity to the Plymouth small-scale fishing fleet.
