The Jersey Fishermen’s Association (JFA) has become a member of Genuine Jersey, enabling all of its 55 commercial fishing members to use the Genuine Jersey mark on their locally caught wet fish and shellfish, which will make it easier for residents and visitors to the island to identify and buy their catch.
Founded in 1955, the JFA was set up to act as the voice of the local commercial fishing fleet. Genuine Jersey’s mission has always been to highlight local produce and products, educate residents and visitors on the benefits of buying local and encouraging them to support local businesses. Local businesses have really suffered during the Covid-19 lockdown, especially local fishermen. Genuine Jersey is eager to help JFA Members to raise their profile and drive sales. Local fishermen have been hit hard by prolonged winter gales, export restrictions due to Covid-19, uncertainty throughout the ongoing Granville Bay Treaty review and not forgetting Brexit is still on the horizon.
The JFA members will now be permitted and encouraged to use the Genuine Jersey mark on all of their catch. Retailers and restauranteurs who source wet fish and shellfish caught by JFA members will also be able to display the Genuine Jersey mark on their fish counters and menu.
Don Thompson, from the JFA, said: “It’s been a difficult time for the local fishing fleet during Covid-19, not forgetting the winter storms, uncertainties over the Granville Bay Treaty and Brexit. We appreciate the support of islanders now more than ever in supporting local fishermen and buying local produce. We hope that by joining Genuine Jersey, islanders will find it easier to locate and buy genuinely local fish and shellfish rather than imported fish, which will in turn be reinvested into our island economy.”
John Garton, Chief Executive of Genuine Jersey, said: “As part of our drive to Build Back Better during the pandemic, we are thrilled to welcome the Jersey Fishermen’s Association as a Genuine Jersey member. Throughout Covid-19, we have been encouraging islanders to support our local fishermen as they are a vital part of providing the island’s local produce. We are so lucky to live on an island that has an abundance of fresh fish and shellfish available to us. It’s fundamentally important we all support the local fishing industry so it can continue and prosper. Now that the JFA is a Genuine Jersey member, their members can use the Genuine Jersey mark on all of their produce so islanders will know that they are supporting local jobs, eating seasonally and boosting the island’s economy, when they purchase these products which is so critical now.”
