Pisces-RFR Totnes Restauraunts

Back in April 2008 we started pilot work linking restaurants in ‘Transition Town Totnes’ to local fisheries. We’ve had a few local difficulties since then, but now, as of May 2009, a late running season permitting, we are back on the case. As a first step we will be checking out sourcing crab ‘just down the road’, from the South Devon crab pot fishery, along with line caught fish.

These come from within one of the largest and longest running voluntary schemes in Britain that limits fishing pressure. This ‘Inshore Potting Agreement’, dating back to 1978, restricts the access of ‘mobile’ fishing gear such as trawling and scallop dredging over some 200 square miles (500 sq. km). Although primarily intended to reduce ‘gear conflict’ between trawlers and potters, researchers have suggested that this is having a positive effect on those less mobile, early maturing, fish such as spotted rays, brill, turbot and dabs.

These measures have resulted in South Devon crab caught in the IPA gaining the top score and recommended status in Marine Conservation Society’s FishOnline

Totnes Restaurants