Retail at Ocean Fish
Victoria Townsend, Commercial Director at Ocean Fish, leads one of the largest seafood operations in the South-west. Retail at Ocean Fish is focused on sourcing the highest quality seafood while processing up to 30 species daily. Ocean Fish not only sources the most fish from local markets but also ensures efficient processing to meet the needs of UK retailers. We spoke with Victoria about fish processing, Ocean Fish’s efforts to highlight British seafood and their mission to introduce more diverse species to UK retailers.
A Legacy of Connection
Ocean Fish is a family-owned business with roots in Cornish fishing dating back 400 years. Over the years, this deep connection with the Cornish fishing community has played a key role in shaping their operations. From the early days of Andrew Lakeman’s aunts mending nets on the docks to today’s large-scale processing, the relationship between catch, processing and customers has evolved but remains strong.
Freshness at the Forefront
Every morning, Ocean Fish sources fresh seafood directly from Newlyn market, where their own boats land. As a result, the fish reaches customers within 24 hours of landing. Thanks to the proximity of their processing factory to South-west markets, this swift turnaround ensures exceptional freshness and quality.
Skilled Processing
Victoria highlights the complexity of processing due to the South-west’s mixed fishery. Because of this, Ocean Fish’s expert filleters must handle a wide range of species, from flatfish like lemon sole to round fish like hake and cuttlefish. Their skill and experience ensure that the highest quality seafood reaches customers.
Retail Challenges and Opportunities
Ocean Fish supplies seafood to major retailers, independent stores and online businesses. However, Victoria’s vision is to expand the South-west’s seafood offering in the retail market. Yet, she notes that retailers often focus on the top five species: cod, haddock, prawns, salmon and tuna. While Ocean Fish exports Cornish fish globally, gaining traction with British retailers remains a challenge that requires ongoing effort.
Seasonality and Supply
Victoria acknowledges the complexities of introducing seasonal British fish into high-street stores. Since UK consumers expect year-round availability, this expectation contrasts with the natural seasonality of wild fishing. Additionally, weather conditions impact supply, making consistency difficult. Therefore, balancing supply and demand remains a key challenge.
Promoting Local Species
Ocean Fish is committed to bridging the gap between sourcing and consuming seafood. To achieve this, they actively promote lesser-known local species, like Megrim, also known as Cornish Sole. Victoria believes that by raising awareness of these underappreciated fish, they can help reshape the seafood industry and encourage more sustainable choices.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, Ocean Fish continues to champion quality, responsible sourcing and innovation in every aspect of its retail operations. To stay informed, follow our blog and sign up for our newsletter for more insights into unique seafood species and our efforts to elevate British seafood in the market.
