UK SEAFOOD FEDERATION BUILDS MOMENTUM ACROSS THE INDUSTRY

UK Seafood Federation builds momentum across the industry. The UK Seafood Federation (UKSF) continues to strengthen its position as the leading voice for the UK seafood processing sector, with its programmes gathering momentum across key strategic areas including Skills & Talent, Ethics & Sustainability, Industry Integrity & Reputation, Smooth & Efficient Trade Flows, and Communication & Engagement.

Fish Focus caught up with UKSF Chief Executive Officer Simon Dwyer to hear about the Federation’s latest activities and the growing impact it is making across the industry.

Representing a sector that employs around 16,000 full-time staff, supported by a further 2,500 part-time and seasonal workers, and generates an annual turnover of approximately £5.3 billion, UKSF continues to focus on delivering practical outcomes for its members and the wider seafood industry.

Simon believes the Federation’s strength lies not in its size, but in the expertise behind it.

“It’s not necessarily about the number of people involved in UKSF – it’s about the quality of the output.

“Our delivery team, working alongside members supporting each of our strategic pillars, enables us to deliver tangible outcomes for the UK seafood industry. Across our various sub-groups we have around 30 expert contributors, creating a powerful and unique network that supports our mission to be the voice of the UK seafood industry, helping make seafood a bigger part of the British diet for the benefit of both people and the planet.”

Supporting this work is the UKSF delivery team of Anne Laudage, Julie Waites, Jo Woodhouse, Janet Bellamy, Ivan Bartolo, Valerie Braybrooks and Mike Short.

Ocean Fish Group joins UKSF

One of the Federation’s newest Tier 2 members is Ocean Fish Group, which Simon recently visited at the company’s processing facility in Roche, Cornwall, where he met Commercial Group Director Victoria Townsend.

“Having Ocean Fish Group join UKSF demonstrates the growing reach we’ve developed since January 2025,” said Simon.

“Victoria presented at our October Consumption Conference and immediately recognised the value of becoming a member. Their business, supplying wholesale, export and retail markets, is an excellent fit for UKSF. It was fantastic to visit the operation, meet the team and discuss both the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.”

Following the visit, Simon facilitated introductions between Ocean Fish Group and the University of Lincoln to explore leadership development, innovation funding and research opportunities already benefiting several UKSF members.

Victoria Townsend welcomed the collaboration.

“We’re delighted to be part of UKSF and to contribute to the Consumption Sub-Group,” she said. “I was thrilled to play a role in the October Consumption Conference and am now working alongside others to help develop a unified industry message around seafood as a healthy, sustainable source of protein.

“Our time with Simon was both insightful and engaging, and we’re looking forward to contributing to the Federation’s work.”

Masterclass series proves a success

The first UKSF Seafood Masterclass Series has been well received, with more than 100 delegates taking part in one or more of four online seminars, technical sessions and industry visits.

The programme covered a wide range of topics designed to support professional development across the sector, including:

• Visits to a fish market and Port Health facility.
• Food Defence and VACCP.
• Seafood Quality and Safety.
• Sustainable aquaculture, including plans for the land-based salmon farm in Grimsby.
• A sector-wide approach to measuring carbon emissions.
• Artificial Intelligence in seafood processing.

The sessions featured speakers from UKSF, leading retailers including Asda and Sainsbury’s, industry partners and academic specialists from the University of Lincoln.

With membership continuing to grow and an expanding programme of practical initiatives, UKSF is reinforcing its role as a collaborative force, bringing together industry expertise to support innovation, sustainability, skills development and increased seafood consumption across the UK.

The inaugural Masterclass Series attracted representatives from around 15 seafood businesses, including NESI, Hilton Seafoods Seachill, Sofina Foods, Thistle Seafoods, Fastnet Fish, Northcoast Seafoods, Ice Fresh and members of the National Federation of Fishmongers (NFF).

The programme provided apprentices and postgraduate students with a valuable opportunity to learn directly from experienced industry professionals, helping to strengthen links between education and the seafood sector.

UKSF thanked all of the expert speakers and member companies whose support made the first series such a success. Building on the positive response, planning is already underway for Series 2, which is scheduled to launch in September.

Keeping members informed

In the latest edition of the UK Seafood Federation newsletter, Chair Simon Smith highlighted the continuing challenges facing the seafood sector following renewed geopolitical instability in the Middle East.

He said the conflict had sent shockwaves through global supply chains, creating pressures reminiscent of those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“UKSF has maintained close dialogue with our members, supply chain stakeholders and DEFRA’s Fisheries team on the key issues affecting the industry,” Smith wrote. “These include the ability of the global catching fleet to continue fishing, increasing fuel surcharges throughout the supply chain, and rising costs for raw materials, particularly packaging.

“We have made it clear to DEFRA that these challenges are not sustainable if the conflict continues.”

Despite these pressures, Smith said the Federation continues to make strong progress across its strategic priorities. One recent highlight has been renewed work on the Seafish Carbon Emissions Tool (SCEPT), with a workshop led in May by Tom Maidment of Hilton Seafoods to help shape the next stage of its development.

Alongside this, UKSF is advancing work on retailer traceability requirements through a dedicated industry group, while its Consumption Sub-Group is now fully established and working to encourage greater seafood consumption across the UK.

The Federation has also welcomed the Provision Trade Federation as an Associate Member, represented by Andrew Kuyk, further strengthening collaboration across the wider food industry.

Read more of Fish Focus’ latest Seafood Processors Review

Image: Pictured l-r, Victoria Townsend, Commercial Group Director, Simon Dwyer CEO UKSF, Nikki Davies, Operations Manager