Celebrating the Northern Ireland Seafood Industry in Film: Fishers, Farmers & Our Coastal Communities

From the fishermen who toil to bring home fantastic fresh seafood and the shellfish farmers who grow it; to the auctioneers and processors; fishmongers and fish fryers; these new films will look at the rarely-seen world of our seafood industry through interviews with those who are at its heart.

Fishers, Farmers and our Coastal Communities provides a unique visual record of the fantastic produce landed daily into our fishing villages; the stories of the boats, factories and retailers who process, market & sell seafood at home and abroad.

This suite of films has been created to celebrate the Northern Irish seafood industry and communities and highlight key businesses, issues and interesting stories across the supply chain from catch to plate. The main documentary film is 30 minutes long and is presented alongside a series of 20 mini-films, each lasting around 2.5 minutes. You can find all the films on the Seafish YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/SeafishTheAuthority

This project was funded by the EU and the DARDNI through Axis 4 of the EFF, aimed at encouraging sustainable development of the fishing dependent communities of Ardglass, Kilkeel & Portavogie.

Playlist

Fishers, Farmers & our Coastal Communities: A Celebration of the NI Seafood Industry, from Harvest to Home - A new 30 minute film which takes a peek inside all aspects of the seafood industry, from the fishing boats who bring home fantastic seafood, to the restaurants that serve it.

Introductory mini films

1. The Northern Irish Seafood Industry: An Introduction: A whistle-stop tour of the seafood industry from harvest to home.

2. The Seafish remix: A short film featuring key local businesses for general promotion.

How is the seafood industry managed and supported?

3. Management of fisheries in Northern Ireland: The DARD Chief Fisheries Officer explains.

4. The Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) and the importance of supporting local fishing communities: Kevin McGarry, Manager of the NI Fisheries Local action group discusses.

5. Anglo North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO): Alan McCulla OBE & Davey Hill discuss the crucial role of Fishermen's POs in meeting the needs of members.

6. The Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation (NIFPO): Dick James, Chief Executive of NIFPO tells us about the role of POs and his passion for the history of the industry.

How is our seafood captured and farmed?

7. Pot fishing and Lobster v-notching: local pot fishermen share their stories.

8. Trawling: the mainstay of the Northern Irish fleet: Kilkeel vessel, the Sparkling Sea features.

9. Pelagic fishing for oily fish: Kilkeel vessel, The Havilah features.

10. Farming blue mussels:. A local bottom mussel farming operation features.

11. Farming oysters: Rooney Fish show us their farm.

12. Fishing Safety Film: A short film demonstrating the importance of wearing lifejackets.

Primary processing of seafood

13. Sea Source: At the Heart of the Fishing Industry: The Sea Source factory and staff feature and discuss adding value to seafood on behalf of fishermen who own the business.

14. Kilkeel Seafoods: The UK's Biggest Scampi Producer: Kilkeel Seafoods are the UK and Ireland's premier scampi producer. The Kilkeel factory and staff feature.

15. Rooney Fish: A Multi-Species Shellfish Processor: John Rooney, tells us about his family business which processes a wide range of shellfish species for international export.

Serving consumers

16. Ewing's: the Oldest Fishmonger in Ireland: Crawford Ewing, great grandson of William Ewing, who founded the business on Belfast' s Shankill Road over 100 years ago is featured.

17. McKeown's Fishmongers: Bangor's oldest business and a quintessential picture of old-time independent fishmongering features with an interview with owner, Sean McKeown.

18. The Mourne Seafood Bar: Interviews with co-owner Bob McCoubrey and Chef Stephen Jeffers feature in the restaurant and cookery school.

19. Fish City: Award winning fish and chips: Owners of Fish City, Grainne and John Lavery who won the best independent chip shop in NI, 2015 in the Seafish Fish and Chip Awards feature.

20. Something Fishy: Edward Murray, owner of Something Fishy, Portavogie discusses the importance of white vans & market trading in supplying seafood to consumers.

With grateful thanks…

Thank you to the many fishermen, seafood processors, fish farmers, fishmongers, fish fryers, auctioneers and fish salesmen, market traders, fishing industry managers, Government Officials, seafood chefs and restauranteurs who took part in making these films. It is their passion for, and commitment to our industry that keeps alive old traditions and ensures a dynamic, sustainable and profitable seafood supply chain for the future.

Further info

Produced by Dr Lynn Gilmore, Seafish Northern Ireland
Filmed and edited by George Wilkins, Panopticon Films
Audio Post Production by Rick Smith