Fishing Methods & Sustainability
Ultimately catching fish using traditional methods is not only sustainable, the produce is far superior to other catch methods.
TODAY'S FRESH DAY BOAT LANDINGS
Superior line-Caught Seafood in Cornwall from Local Day Boats
At Wild Harbour, we believe in transparency on catch method is of the utmost importance, so we hope you will find the information below both informative and helpful. We have spent a great deal of time researching best practice with the Fishing Gear Technologist from SEAFISH and as a result, Wild Harbour has hand-picked fisherman who use these methods to catch restaurant quality luxury fish and shellfish.
Hand Lines Sustainable Catch Method
Our handline fishing method is exactly what the name implies: commercial fishing with a rod or handheld lines, comparable to recreational angling. It covers a variety of fishing techniques such as jigging, bait fishing, and trolling, which are often done from a small inshore boat, usually single-handedly, though some boats may accommodate two people. They will land small quantities of fish, on a daily basis, in pristine condition.
- Excellent selectivity of fish
- All juvenile and unwanted species can be returned alive and unharmed
- Discards are 0%
- Iced immediately upon capture
- Small Cornish day boats only
- Part of the in-shore fleet
- Each species is specifically targeted
Dermersal Otter Trawls Catch Method
A demersal trawl is a cone-shaped net that is towed on the seabed to target demersal fish species. The mouth of the trawl is held open by a pair of trawl doors (Otter Boards). Demersal trawling is a direct descendant of the early beam trawl, however is now far more sustainable than beam trawling.
- Use otter boards or doors to spread the net rather than heavy metal beams.
- Work higher in the water, which minimises damage to the sea beds.
- Much lighter nets worked on smaller in-shore day boats, therefore using less fuel.
- Tow one single net behind the boat rather than two nets on either side of the boat, which is the case for beam trawls.
- Using larger mesh size – the current mandatory mesh size is 80mm, our fisherman use 100mm. This improves selectivity of juvenile fish.
- Innovative square mesh cod end, to improve selectivity of fish.
- Discards are less than 1%
- Short trawls times ensure the best quality and maximize the survivability of undersize fish.
- Iced within one hour of capture
- Small Cornish day boats only
- Part of the in-shore fleet
- Using historical fishing grounds which, due to the best practice, continue to produce a sustainable fishery.
- Good mixed fishery, no individual species is targeted and over fished.
Boats At Sea
Live data coming in! Please see below for live fishing boats who are out to sea today, the smaller boats by the shores are our day boat fishermen. The larger boats out from the shore are larger, commercial fleets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all your seafood sustainable?
What is Cornwall Good seafood guide?
Is all your seafood sourced in Cornwall?
What methods are used to catch your fish?
is your fish traceable?
The species i'd like is unavailable, can you help?
from sea to kitchen
Wild harbour seafood
The clear waters of the Cornish coast are home to Britain’s finest seafood and shellfish. The daily catch from local day boats lands fresh Cornish crab and lobster, magnificent line-caught sea bass in season, mackerel, pollack, sole and place. Wonderful Cornish native oysters, mussels and hand dived king scallops. But with over 40 local species, from Cornish Sole to Sardines, the truth is we never know what the tide will bring in.